WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Charitable Giving Coalition (CGC) sent a letter to lawmakers on Tuesday encouraging Congress to expand the universal charitable deduction before it expires on December 31st. More than 370 organizations joined the letter.
The charitable deduction encourages Americans to give more to charity than they otherwise would. Increasing the cap on the temporary universal charitable deduction and making it available in 2022 will encourage Americans to give even more to important causes as the charitable sector continues to help the nation recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Lawmakers took an important step in 2020 to enact a charitable deduction for non-itemizers, capped at $300 for individuals and $600 for joint filers,” said Brian Flahaven, chair of the CGC. “Now that the returns are clear, they have an opportunity to build on giving increases by expanding and extending it further.”
Following the enactment of a charitable deduction for non-itemizers in the CARES Act, charities saw an unprecedented increase in gifts of $250 in 2020. On a single day last year – December 31st – gifts of $300 increased by 18 percent.
“All charitable gifts matter, whether they’re $100 or $100,000,” said Flahaven. “Extending the universal charitable deduction so all Americans can continue to deduct at least some of their charitable giving will strengthen civil society and assist in more resources going to the communities that need them most. We look forward to working with Congress to ensure all taxpayers continue to have access to a charitable giving incentive.
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The Charitable Giving Coalition
Representing private and community foundations, their grantees and independent charities, the Charitable Giving Coalition 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.chartiablegivingcoalition.org, @CGC_DC