Bill to Ease a Fundraising Concern of Firefighters Moves 

HARRISBURG—A measure sponsored by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to raise the monetary threshold at which a volunteer organization's fundraising requires a financial audit has been approved by the Senate State Government Committee.

Senate Bill 210, now in position for a Senate floor vote, would allow volunteer groups, such as fire, ambulance, and rescue squads, to raise up to $250,000 without having to pay between $3,000 and $4,000 to have an audit performed.  Current state law sets the threshold at $125,000.

Greenleaf said he was asked by a representative of the Upper Gwynedd  Township Fire Department to consider the introduction of legislation to ease the burden on groups that want to direct all the money they collect toward the mission of fire prevention, firefighting and firefighter training.  Greenleaf responded by offering his legislation to amend the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act last session and again this session.

"I am glad that the Senate State Government Committee has moved forward Senate Bill 210.  "It is a sign of the committee's recognition that volunteer groups already have a difficult task in fundraising and gathering donations to serve their communities," Greenleaf said.  "By raising the threshold for the auditing requirement, the Legislature could save these groups time and money."