Press Release
New bill protects philanthropic freedom and encourages charitable giving in the sunshine state
On May 27, 2010, Governor Charlie Crist of Florida signed into law Senate Bill 998 which protects Florida foundations and the charities they support. ACR, along with a coalition of key legislators, foundations, philanthropic associations and policy organizations, advanced this legislation as part of a state-based strategy to protect donor intent and philanthropic freedom.
Additional Resources
- Legislation: SB 998 text (see page 10, line 288)
- Summary of Legislation:
- Press Release: ACR announces bill passage (June 1, 2010)
- Policy Brief: Philanthropy’s Future in the Sunshine State, James Madison Institute (December 2009)
- Point of View: Assault on Philanthropy, James Madison Institute (December 2009)
- Model Legislation: Text of Model State legislation to protect philanthropic freedom
Press
- Summer 2010 President’s Note: Sunshine for Philanthropic Freedom, Philanthropy Magazine (Adam Meyerson)
- 7/11 Letter to the Editor: Florida’s New Foundation Law Protects Donor Intent, Chronicle of Philanthropy (Sue Santa)
——6/11 Opinion: New FL Law Makes It Harder for Foundations to Live Up to Values, Chronicle of Philanthropy (Emmett Carson)
- 6/14 Opinion: FL Law Stands up for Charity, Washington Examiner & San Francisco Examiner (Adam Meyerson)
- 6/4 Florida Protects Philanthropic Freedom, Philanthropy Daily
- 6/1 Fla. Adopts Legislation to Protect Foundations’ Autonomy, Chronicle of Philanthropy
- June New Florida law, Resolutions Promote & Protect State’s Philanthropy, Florida Philanthropic Network
A new study defends the limited relationship between philanthropy and government
Washington, D.C. - June 19, 2009
Today, The Philanthropy Roundtable releases a new report on charitable giving and the government’s relationship with foundations and charities. The report, How Public Is Private Philanthropy? Separating Reality from Myth, is a comprehensive legal analysis that examines the claim that charitable funds are “public money” because they are exempt from federal taxes, receive state charters, and are subject to oversight by state attorneys general.
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Further Reading
Today, Joanne Florino, Executive Director of the Triad Foundation and member of the Alliance for Charitable Reform (ACR), testified before the House Education and Labor Committee during a hearing on the impact of the arts community on America’s communities. As the representative from the foundation community, Florino highlighted the important role foundations play in supporting America’s communities, and specifically the arts community. She spoke to the need to incentivize giving during this unprecedented time of need, and how President Obama’s proposal to limit on the charitable deduction is a step in the wrong direction.
Further Reading
ACR Press Release on 2009 “Good Giving” platform
Washington, DC - March 18, 2009
The Alliance for Charitable Reform (“ACR”) expressed its concerns today about the Obama Administration’s budget proposal to limit charitable deductions, noting that such action “would have a chilling effect on private donations to America’s charities and nonprofit organizations. We believe the President’s proposal is headed in the wrong direction, particularly during a time of demonstrated hardship,” said Sandra Swirski, Executive Director for ACR. “Instead of discouraging philanthropy, we need to incentivize charitable giving in a responsible way.”
Further Reading
ACR Press Release on NCRP report
Today, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) released a set of benchmarks for what they call, “Philanthropy at its Best”. Despite its name, these benchmarks have nothing to do with measuring effectiveness. In fact, the natural consequence of these benchmarks will be to reduce the scope and diversity of the foundation sector to one that serves a more narrow set of highly politicized interests.
For the full ACR press release on this report, download the file below.
Further Reading