Achieving Results
Adam Meyerson, president of The Philanthropy Roundtable, recently delivered a speech entitled “The Generosity of America” as part of a lecture series sponsored by Hillsdale College’s Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship.
Adam notes “Private charitable giving is at the heart and soul of public discourse in our democracy. It makes possible our great think tanks, whether left, right or center. Name a great issue of public debate today: climate change, the role of government in health care, school choice, stem cell research, same-sex marriage. On all these issues, private philanthropy enriches debate by enabling organizations with diverse viewpoints to articulate and spread their message.”
He cautions us though, warning “this freedom to give is now under serious threat… three kinds of proposals coming from Capitol Hill, the IRS, state governments, and sometimes from the charitable sector itself, that should be of concern to all Americans.”
The full article is available here.
Bob McClure (James Madison Institute) examines the impact of advocacy groups on philanthropic giving
In a recent policy brief, Bob McClure (president of the James Madison Institute) raises the antennas of Floridian donors to the tactics of advocacy groups that seek to redirect private giving to their specified causes.
He notes,“Surely donors deserve the right to choose where their money goes. After all, most gifts represent the bounty from the fruits of their labor — what’s left after life’s necessities have been purchased, payrolls have been met, or federal, state and local taxes have been paid.
Granted, some choices may seem eccentric. Yet here in Florida there also are heart-warming examples of how personal experiences ignited a passion for a cause. Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, adopted as a child, gave much of his wealth to his foundation to support adoption and foster care. When one of Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino’s sons was diagnosed with autism, Marino started a foundation to support autism research. There are countless examples of such generosity by businesses, foundations and individuals across the country.”
To view the full policy brief and a related article select the links below.
Further Reading
ACR responds to recent Wall Street Journal article on philanthropy
According to a recently published article “What’s Wrong with Charitable Giving-And How to Fix It,” (Philanthropy - Wall Street Journal, November 9), Pablo Eisenberg claims that “[m]uch of current philanthropic giving, by foundations and individuals, neither meets the needs of our charitable organizations nor addresses some of our most urgent public needs.”
This blanket statement is not only incorrect, but it also undermines and diminishes the dedicated, altruistic work of charitable organizations (which continues in the face of this challenging economy), as well as the generosity of the millions of Americans who give to charity every day.
Download the full response below.
Further Reading
Date: November 4, 2009
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Sue Santa spoke about nonprofit messaging. Adam Meyerson was also present.
A new report dismisses arguments to control philanthropy by government
Suzanne Garment (editor of The Philanthropy Roundtable’s recent monograph How Public is Private Philanthropy?) has joined with Leslie Lenkowsky (Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University) to take on arguments for greater government control of philanthropy in a newly released working paper of the Washington Legal Foundation.
Continue reading...
Further Reading
John Tyler, Steve Johnson, and William Dietel continue the conversation
When The Philanthropy Roundtable published its recent monograph How Public is Private Philanthropy? it touched off a heated debate.
The conversation continues as John Tyler, co-author of the monograph, challenges the legal basis for proposals from both government and charitable groups to impose legal limits on the grantmaking and governance within foundations. While others in the philanthropic community weigh in with the common rebuttal that the real issue is how effective philanthropy is.
For the full conversation please read below.
Further Reading
ACR & coalition submit a petition to Senator Baucus
Today, a letter was sent by a coalition of organizations and foundations to Senator Max Baucus, the current chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Finance, to spare the charitable tax deduction. ACR joined this coalition with the aim of protecting the charitable deduction from future reductions as a policymakers look to it as a revenue raiser for expansions in government programs. The coalition includes the American Red Cross International, Council on Foundations and the United Way among others. We’ll keep you posted.
Further Reading
U.S. Senator Thune on the Administration’s proposal to limit charitable giving
Senator John Thune of South Dakota explores the impact of President Obama’s proposal to reduce the charitable tax deduction. Thune makes the case for why the charitable community will be hurt by diminished giving and makes clear his stance to preserve the full charitable tax deduction.
Further Reading
ACR prepares for a busy fall on The Hill
Sandra Swirski sits down with Philanthropy This Week, of the The Chronicle of Philanthropy, for an interview on the future of the charitable deduction and other tax changes that impact the charitable community in light of health policies currently in debate.
Episode 7: Update from Washington: The Charitable Deduction and the Social Innovation Fund
Further Reading
Nonprofit report gives a nod to recent Philanthropy Roundtable report
The Reid & Reige Nonprofit Organization Report gives a strong note of approval to the Roundtable’s report How Public is Private Philanthropy? Separating Reality from Myth and recommends it for all in the charitable sector. Reinforcing what it calls the private money principle, this article reminds us that charitable funds are subject to private control (not government). The report draws a clear and thought-provoking analogy when noting, “When you look at your next paycheck ask youself if the take home amount is yours to spend as you please or a government subsidy.”
Further Reading
