Chair
Mark McCrary
Mississippi Center for Nonprofits
Co-Chair
Carol Burger
United Way
Co-Chair
Greg Pirkle
Phelps Dunbar LLP
The Nonprofits and Charities Study Group was formed in May 2008 to review Mississippi’s laws regarding nonprofit and charitable organizations. The Group was composed of foundations and charities professionals from across the state, as well as others who work with charities, such as professional fundraisers, accountants and attorneys. The Group’s primary objectives were to recommend changes to existing law which would (1) reduce regulatory burdens on Mississippi’s many well-managed nonprofits and charities and make it easier for them to comply with the law; (2) increase the accountability of charities to the public; (3) allow for expanded and more effective enforcement against dishonest individuals and organizations which purport to collect funds for charitable purposes; and (4) increase transparency in order to foster public confidence in organizations which solicit charitable donations within Mississippi.
After meeting throughout the summer and fall of 2008, the Nonprofits and Charities Study Group unanimously recommended a number of significant changes to state law which the Group believes will transform Mississippi into a national leader in the field of regulating charitable organizations. For a full list of the Group’s recommendations, as well as the agenda and materials distributed to the Group at each meeting, please visit the links below.