This year Generocity launched a content series that focused on policy and legal changes as they apply to nonprofits and social enterprises. We called it Mechanics because sometimes the inner-workings of an organization, such as its legal framework, are crucial to understanding how they create social impact.

The Changing Face of Crowd Investment: Fundrise and Manayunk’s First Coworking Space

Written by Alex Vuocolo – October 23, 2013

Manayunk’s first co-working space, The Transfer Station, utilized a form of crowd-funding to determine interest from possible investors. This feature looks at how recent regulatory changes, legislated by the JOBS Act, could potentially open up equity investment to non-accredited investors and how this is already impacting social enterprises in Philadelphia. [Read more]

New Federal Regulations Allow Social Enterprises to Crowdfund Investment

Written by Alex Vuocolo – October 3, 2013

More background on crowd-investment, including details on the laws concerning accredited and non-accredited investors. This feature also includes information on social enterprises based in Philadelphia that are already putting to use crowd-investment platforms such as crowdfunder.[Read more]

B Corps Set to Take Hold in the Greater Philadelphia Region

Written by Alex Vuocolo – May 16, 2013

For years certain corporations have committed themselves to a social mission, whether its a triple bottom line or an aggressive charitable arm. But now there is an official designation for socially-minded businesses, called a benefit corporation, and it’s spreading in the Mid-Atlantic region. [Read more]

The Debate Around Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Status

 Written by Alex Vuocolo – April – June, 2013

The debate around nonprofit tax-exempt status heated up this spring with the introduction of legislation by Councilman Bill Green that would encourage nonprofits to enter into Payments in Lieu of Taxes or PILOT programs. Generocity tracked this issue over the span of the year. Here is a list of PILOT-focused stories in chronological order:

1. How City Council Might Raise Revenue from Philly Nonprofits and Charities

2. Understanding the Debate Around Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Status, PA Act 55, and PILOTS

3. Bills Addressing Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Status Head to Full Council

4. PA House Passes Joint Resolution to Give Legislature Power to Determine Tax-Exempt Status