ACR NEWSLETTER

PRESS RELEASE: ACR & Charitable Groups Taking to Capitol Hill

Nonprofit Leaders to go to Congress for “Fly In/Speak Out: Preserve Giving”, Meet with Elected Officials

WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 40 nonprofit leaders will meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill Thursday, October 6th, to reinforce the message that reducing the charitable deduction to pay for the President’s job plan will affect those hit the hardest by the economy.  Nonprofit leaders have united in opposing any changes, including this proposal that will reduce giving.

The group of leaders, include charity leader Robert Egger from the DC Central Kitchen and foundation leaders JoAnne Florino of the Triad foundation, Brent Christopher of the Communities Foundation of Texas, and Jan Preble of the Wasie Foundation. They will meet with more than 30 members from both the Senate and the House.  Although many elected officials have voiced opposition to reducing the charitable deduction, the proposal is still on the table and is a great threat to the aid and services provided by nonprofit organizations.

“Nonprofit groups are being forced to provide services for more people with less funds coming in,” said Sue Santa, Senior Vice President for Public Policy at The Philanthropy Roundtable.  “We believe the President’s charitable deduction proposal will impact giving.  With the economy still struggling and resources strained, it will ultimately be individuals and families served by nonprofits who are going to suffer.”

The nonprofit sector has been hit hard in the slow economy. Giving to nonprofit organizations was down nearly 20% in 2008 and 2009, and only slightly rose in 2010.  Data also shows donations for the first half of 2011 is also stagnant.  The President’s plan would reduce the government incentive for charitable giving.
Giving by individual Americans represents the majority of charitable contributions, roughly 73%, and is directed to religious organizations, education causes, homeless shelters, human service providers, arts and environmental causes, and others. 

The Alliance for Charitable Reform (ACR), which is a project of the Philanthropy Roundtable, organizes with other nonprofit leaders to speak out on important issues. The proposal to reduce the charitable deduction is a critical issue for the nonprofit sector and will ultimately hurt those who receive their services.

Recently, these leaders sent a letter to Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the members of the “Super Committee” laying out the potential damage to Americans seeking help from nonprofit services. The lett