The International Center for Not-For-Profit Law, or ICNL, regulates and strengthens the legal environment of nonprofits around the world.
Their objectives include fostering multilateral cooperation and philanthropy in nonprofit institutions. The ICNL has programs on every continent that support philanthropy and sustainability. The ICNL promotes its ethical standards by incentivizing its processes to businesses. The organization also offers tax exemptions for businesses that comply with its regulations.
The ICNL offers various services, including providing transparency and information on international nonprofits. The ICNL reports on over 48 countries worldwide and NGOs.
Some ICNL programs work to strengthen the connections of leaders in civil society throughout countries in the Middle East. Other programs of the ICNL focus on partnering with local nonprofits to establish legitimacy and offer additional resources. For instance, professionals of the ICNL have worked in every country in Central and Eastern Europe in order to provide consulting services. Their consulting work is centered on analyzing the fiscal framework of organizations and drafting legislation in cooperation with the policies of the ICNL.
The organization’s latest research of nonprofit law is based on exploring problems within African civil society. They discuss the impact of funding for HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia and other important topics facing human rights and civil society in Africa. These articles are published in the organization’s journal.
President Barack Obama made a commitment in 2013 to support civil society in programs called Stand For Civil Society. The White House released a press statement discussing the president’s deepened commitment.
The presidential memorandum directs that, “U.S. agencies defend and strengthen civil society abroad by: consulting regularly with civil society organizations to explain the views of the United States, seek their perspectives, utilize their expertise, and build strong partnerships to address joint challenges.”
To date, the United States has given more than $2.7 billion to programs invested in bettering civil society abroad.
– Maxine Gordon
Sources: White House, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
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