Florida
Chronicle of Philanthropy Letter to Editor
On Sunday, July 11, 2010, the Chronicle of Philanthropy published a Letter to the Editor from Sue Santa, Senior Vice President for Public Policy at The Philanthropy Roundtable, in response to an opinion piece by Emmett Carson, President of the Silicon Valley Foundation. Carson was critical of the Florida legislation (SB 998) advanced by ACR and the Roundtable to protect philanthropic freedom.
Here’s an excerpt from Santa’s piece:
“We at The Philanthropy Roundtable agree with Emmett Carson that “government should not be in the business of deciding who sits on foundation boards or which nonprofit organizations receive grants based on demographics.” And this is precisely the intent of the new Florida law on philanthropic freedom—no more, no less.”
View both articles here:
- Letter to the Editor: Florida’s New Foundation Law Protects Donor Intent
- Opinion: Opinion: New Fla. Law Makes It Harder for Foundations to Live Up To Values
Adam Meyerson comments on the passge of recent ACR bill
In today’s Washington Examiner and San Franciso Exmainer, Adam Meyerson, president of the Philantrhopy Roundtable, provides commentary on the recent bill passed in Florida to protect philanthropic giving.
Here’s an excerpt:
“Americans are increasingly worried about government overreach into areas of the economy and society that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. So it is refreshing to see that private-sector leaders in at least one important area—charitable giving—are starting to push back.
Earlier this month, the state of Florida passed a law that actually limits the ability of the state to interfere with its citizens’ private charitable giving. The new law guarantees charitable donors the freedom to give to the charities they care about and in the manner that they think will be most effective.
Overall private giving is likely to increase, to the benefit of all. It’s an encouraging example that other states may soon be following.”
Click here to read the full op-eds:
- Washington Examiner
- San Franciso Exminer
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
James Madison Institute examines the impact of advocacy groups on philanthropic giving
A recent policy brief from 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.
Excerpt:“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
Article by Al Pina, Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition, in the Wall Street Journal
Comments from Al Pina:
“At first your editorial “The Philanthropy Shakedown” (Dec. 30) on the efforts by Greenlining and the Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition with foundations made me chuckle. But I concluded that your opinion is a derivative of nothing more than ignorance…”
Further Reading
Wall Street Journal Editorial says “Give to ‘minority-led’ charities, or else”
“In 2006, Publix Supermarket Charities donated almost $30 million to causes that included Habitat for Humanity, the March of Dimes and United Way. But Al Pina isn’t satisfied. Mr. Pina, the chairman of the Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition, believes Publix isn’t giving enough to people of color who donate to other people of color. Welcome to the latest trend in racial extortion…”
Further Reading
Philanthropic Investment in the Sunshine State
Greenlining released its report on what it identified as gaps in funding to Florida minority organizations.
Further Reading
