California

Fighting at the State Level

ACR continues to identify and respond to challenges to the charitable community in the states as well, particularly those originating from interest groups and activist organizations.  For example, last year the California Legislature considered AB 624, a bill that would have significantly increased onerous reporting requirements for foundations and their grantees.  The legislation was promoted by Greenlining Institute, an aggressive activist organization.

We believe the impetus for comprehensive reporting was merely a veil for the true goal - influencing and ultimately directing foundations to fund causes preferred by Greenlining itself.  Again, ACR activated many in the charitable community to add their voices in opposition to this legislation.  While the legislation ultimately failed, Greenlining has expanded its focus to other states and has recently opened an office in Washington, D.C.

State Legislation

California AB 624

In 2008, the California legislature began formal consideration of legislation (California AB 624). Under the guise of transparency and disclosure, this legislation would have, we believe, channeled foundation grantmaking to a limited, statutorily-prescribed group of charities. This legislation would have created winners and clear losers in the charitable community.

The legislation, which was never enacted into law, served as a direct threat to the philanthropic freedom of foundations and the charities they support. Now, even after a few of California’s leading foundations made unprecedented commitments of tens of millions of dollars, it remains unclear whether members of the California legislature will try to advance similar legislation in 2009.

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Further Reading

State Legislation

Background Material on AB 624

Further Reading

State Legislation

Press Coverage of AB 624

The following are articles related to AB 624.

Further Reading