Friday, Feb. 6, 2015 from 7:30 a.m. to noon at KWMU Public Radio in Grand Center, 3651 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63108. (For directions, click here.)

Successful nonprofit organizations have the capacity and ability to find and cultivate major gifts as part of their fundraising and development plan. Come to this class to learn successful strategies and tactics for bringing in major gifts. Instructor Martin Leifeld, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at the University of Missouri St. Louis, will share how he approaches his work and how he’s achieved the successes he’s had in securing major gifts. Class topics will include: attitudes and traits of successful major gift fundraisers, concepts to increase your effectiveness and confidence, and facets of leadership in major gift fundraising.

Instructor MARTIN LEIFELD has served as vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of Missouri–St. Louis since August 2008. Since his arrival he

On December 11, the IRS released its Exempt Organization Newsletter, Issue Number 2014-20.

On December 5, the IRS released its Exempt Organization Newsletter, Issue Number 2014-19.

What, you may ask? That’s right. It no longer works to reimburse employees for the purchase of an individual health insurance policy. I know, many of you have always done this. Well, not any longer under guidance issued under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Beginning with an IRS Notice issued in September 2013 and most recently in November 2014 DOL FAQs, the federal government has made it clear that this practice does not work under the ACA. While it flew under the radar for some, this rule became effective in 2014.

Why, you may ask? When an employer reimburses an employee for an individual health insurance premium, or pays the premium directly to the insurer, it has (perhaps inadvertently) established a “group health plan” which is subject to the so-called Public Health Service Act mandates of ACA.

U.S. News and Best Lawyers have joined to rank more than 12,000 firms in the U.S. in 120 practice areas in 174 metropolitan areas and 8 states.

Bryan Cave’s Trust and Estates Practice Group (“Private Client CSG”) received National First Tier Ranking and the Atlanta, Kansas City, Orange County, and St. Louis offices all received First Tier Rankings in metropolitan cities.

Congratulations to the Private Client Group!

The 2015 report of more than 12,000 firms by practice area is based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. Results were combined into an overall “Best Law Firms” score for each firm.

Register for IRS webinar: Introduction to tax-exempt status

Thursday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. ET

You will learn how to:

• • Differentiate between the terms “nonprofit” and “tax exempt”
• • List some of the common types of exempt organizations
• • Understand the requirements for exemption under 501(c)(3)
• • Apply for recognition of exemption
• • Identify some of the ongoing  compliance issues for exempt organizations

Register for this event.

On October 2, the IRS released its Exempt Organization Newsletter, Issue Number 2014-18.

They’re here!  The 2015 IRS plan limitations arrived a full week earlier than last year.  Most of the limitations have been adjusted upwards.  See the chart below (after the jump) to see the new limits as well as a summary of the limits over the preceding three years.

Type of Limitation 2015 2014 2013 2012 Elective Deferrals (401(k), 403(b), 457(b)(2) and 457(c)(1)) $18,000 $17,500 $17,500 $17,000 Section 414(v) Catch-Up Deferrals to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or SARSEP Plans (457(b)(3) and 402(g) provide separate catch-up rules to be considered as appropriate) $6,000 $5,500 $5,500 $5,500 SIMPLE 401(k) or regular SIMPLE plans, Catch-Up Deferrals $3,000 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 415 limit for Defined Benefit Plans $210,000 $210,000 $205,000 $200,000 415 limit for Defined Contribution Plans $53,000 $52,000 $51,000 $50,000 Annual Compensation Limit $265,000 $260,000 $255,000 $250,000 Annual Compensation Limit for Grandfathered Participants in Governmental Plans Which Followed 401(a)(17) Limits (With Indexing) on July 1,

What’s the best way to offset potential equity volatility in period of meager bond returns?

Given your need for liquidity, are alternative investments too risky?

Does socially responsible investing make sense for your organization?

How can you best meet the new legislative requirements for transparency and accountability?

Please join us on November 12 to hear a panel of experts (including our very own Tara Newell) answer these and other questions.

Click here for more info

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in 202 J.C. Penney Conference Center

Online funding competitions are becoming more and more common. Locally, Mission: St. Louis has entered three online contests and won all three in recent history. Come to this class to learn how they built and maintain their social media presence, and how they mobilized their followers on Give STL Day 2014. Walk away with new social media resources and strategies, and learn how to make a plan for an online campaign or contest. Specific thoughts and plans will be provided to help organizations plan for Give STL Day 2015.

Instructor JOY CLARKE is the Vice President of Development for Mission: St. Louis, where she leads a team that manages the organization’s communications and development. She’s grown the organization’s social media platform to reach followers of more than 5,000 people, and helped them win three