WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hundreds of front-line nonprofit and charitable sector leaders representing thousands of communities will gather in Washington, D.C. on November 20 for “Protect Giving Day” to urge lawmakers to protect the charitable tax deduction. The event comes as political leaders are once again focusing on tax reform and deficit reduction and will consider proposals that could do significant harm to incentives that encourage charitable giving.
“As Congress and the Administration turn to important budget and deficit reduction negotiations, including tax reform, America’s communities and the nonprofits that support them need your help,” the Coalition said in a letter today sent to every member of Congress about Protect Giving Day. “We have continuing concern about proposed limits to the charitable tax deduction.”
The Charitable Giving Coalition, a group of more than 60 nonprofits, foundations and other charitable organizations, will fan out across Capitol Hill for face-to-face meetings with members and staff. Coalition members will make sure policymakers have a clear understanding about the consequences communities will face if harmful changes to the 100-year-old charitable tax deduction are enacted.
The Coalition will also host a Hill briefing for members and staff to make the case that a strong economy depends on a thriving philanthropic sector that supports nonprofits which provide one out of ten jobs in America (approximately 13.7 million) and 9 percent of wages paid in the U.S. (nearly $600 billion a year). Coalition members will also share examples of how charities stepped up during the federal government shutdown, filling the void and providing meals, health services, and other safety net essentials when government funding evaporated.
“While there is a sense of relief throughout America that a bipartisan agreement ended the federal government shutdown, the fallout placed hardships on too many families and communities,” the letter continued. “On this day of action, we will share our perspectives, including powerful examples about the strength and stability of the nonprofit sector, which was on full display during this time – and continues to be throughout the year.”
###
The Charitable Giving Coalition Representing private and community foundations, their grantees and independent charities, the Charitable Giving Coalition’s members include United Way Worldwide, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities USA, the American Institute for Cancer Research, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Independent Sector, the Council on Foundations, The Philanthropy Roundtable, among others. Formed in 2009, the coalition is a broad cross-section of nonprofit organizations across the country, including both the nonprofit organizations themselves and the associations and umbrella groups that serve their needs. The coalition is dedicated to preserving the charitable giving incentive that ensures that our nation’s charities receive the funds necessary to fulfill their essential philanthropic missions. The coalition provides a unique and unified voice on Capitol Hill on issues affecting the charitable deduction, a voice composed of both direct lobbying and robust grassroots advocacy. www.charitablegivingcoalition.org