WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Charitable Giving Coalition joins the nonprofit sector in celebrating Giving Tuesday and encouraging all Americans to donate to charity. Charitable Giving Coalition Chair Brian Flahaven issued the following statement:
Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for Americans to collectively express their generosity during the holiday season. This year that generosity is even more important. In addition to being in the middle of multiple unprecedented crises, 2020 is the first year in more than three decades that all Americans will receive at least some tax relief for their charitable gifts.
Americans give to make a difference and to help those in need, but tax incentives, like the charitable contribution deduction, help to encourage even more giving. This year, the Fundraising Effectiveness Project report showed an increase in charitable giving for the first half of 2020. The biggest increase was among donors giving $250 or less. The CARES Act’s temporary universal charitable deduction enacted in March likely was a contributing factor to this increase in small-dollar gifts.
As the most charitable nation in the world, Americans continue to provide billions of dollars each year to support nonprofits across the nation and in their communities. This year has brought many challenges, and now more than ever the generosity of Americans should be celebrated. Since the very first days of the COVID crises, charities have been providing essential relief and services to families, workers, and communities.
Unless Congress takes action, December will be the last opportunity for some Americans to make a gift to charity that is deductible. So, we encourage lawmakers to keep in mind the great work charitable organizations have been doing—and will continue to do as the nation recovers. Lifting the cap on the CARES Act’s universal charitable deduction and making the deduction permanent will help donors and the charitable sector have an even greater impact.
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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 Council on Education, Jewish Federations of North America, the American Institute for Cancer Research, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Independent Sector, the Council on Foundations, and United Philanthropy Forum, among others. Formed in 2009, 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, @CGC_DC