Friday, March 9, 2012
The latest newsletter is available below or with full articles online.
New Publications
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How Public is Private Philanthropy? Separating Reality from Myth, Second Edition
The Philanthropy Roundtable has released a Second Edition of How Public is Private Philanthropy? Separating Reality from
Myth by Evelyn Brody of Chicago-Kent College of Law and John Tyler of the Ewing Marian Kauffman Foundation. The original publication examined legal precedents applicable to the “public money” claim that philanthropic assets should be treated as public funds, finding the argument to be unfounded in legal authority. The Second Edition is updated with key legal developments, including an important Supreme Court decision bolstering the authors’ findings for a continued separation between government and philanthropy.
Heather Higgins, president of the Randolph Foundation, comments on the public money claim in Huffington Post discussing both the the dangers of the public money myth and the ongoing importance of Tyler-Brody publication.
Press release on this new monograph
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Protecting Donor Intent: How to Define and Safeguard Your Philanthropic Principles
The Philanthropy Roundtable has also released a guidebook by Jeffrey Cain that illustrates for donors ways to preserve their principles in the grantmaking institutions they create.
The Wall Street Journal is expected to publish this related op-ed by Roundtable president Adam tomorrow.
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Download either publication at www.PhilanthropyRoundtable.org.
If you prefer a print copy, email your request to main@philanthropyroundtable.org.
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Washington Roundup
Here is an update from Capitol Hill:
Tax Bills
Late Wednesday night the Senate reached an agreement on a path forward on the Transportation Funding Reauthorization Act, a.k.a. Highway Bill. This bill authorizes transportation spending for two years, and would cost about $109 billion. Many believe this will be one of the last pieces of major legislation to pass Congress before the election.
In the House, getting the Highway Bill passed is an uphill battle. Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) spearheaded the effort to pass a House version of the Highway Bill for several months... (CONTINUE READING)
Election Shakeups
Last Week Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) announced her intent to retire at the end of 2012. She cited continued frustration with the current “atmosphere of polarization and ‘my way or the highway’ ideologies”
as the primary cause for her decision to step down. Snowe is currently on the powerful Senate Finance Committee and her retirement puts her seat in play as both parties jockey for the majority in the Senate. It was thought that Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) would be the leading Democratic candidate, but she announced Wednesday that she would not run for the Senate and instead would pursue a third term in the House. According to recent polls, the current frontrunner is former governor Angus King, who is running as an Independent.
In other breaking news from last week, former Senator and Governor Bob Kerrey (D-NE) announced that he would once again run for the Senate ... (CONTINUE READING)
Consider This
Presidential Candidates and Their Charitable Giving
Shortly after former Governor Mitt Romney released his tax returns, a newbie political reporter called us and asked if we thought it was a problem that Romney had given so much to charity and received a charitable deduction.
Our response? Not a chance. The problem, at least from the view of political optics, would have been if he had given too little... (Continue reading)
Making Headlines
Charitable Deduction
In response to the president’s FY 2013 budget proposal, the nonprofit sector continues to react to proposals impacting the charitable deduction. For full digest of articles and opinion on this incentive for giving visit Charitable Deduction Central on ACR website.
In related news, the Chronicle of Philanthropy examines the advocacy efforts of national nonprofit organizations and associations in protecting the charitable deduction and other tax issues.
Opinion:
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Joanne Florino, executive director of Triad Foundation, Inc., challenges claims that the charitable deduction is not that important to charitable giving and discusses who really benefits from this giving incentive. This was in response to a recent op-ed
by Jack Shackley, the former president of the California Community Foundation, arguing that the charitable deduction is no longer necessary. Also see: Less Charity, and More Taxes, Please, Philanthropy Daily
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Columnist Michael Barone criticizes the president’s cap on charitable deductions, calling it a massive transfer of money from the voluntary sector to government. Also see: Obama Makes Fifth Attempt to Reduce Charitable Deduction, The Foundry Blog
Dr. M. Ray Perryman of International Institute for Advanced Studies posits that ongoing economic recovery will drive charitable giving but cautions that tax changes would curtail those increases.
Federal
New Giving Vehicles: Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) introduced The Philanthropic Enterprise Act of 2012 (HR 4035), which seeks to “encourage entrepreneurial philanthropy by permitting foundations to retain ownership of for-profit entities that give 100% of their profits to charity after paying all corporate taxes.” Also see: Paul Newman’s Philanthropy Lives on Through His Business, Star Tribune
States/Local
Hawaii: A new bill (SB2544) being advanced by nonprofit organizations to repeal a cap on tax exemptions for certain taxpayers has passed the Senate. As we’ve reported, last year the legislature limited deductions (including the charitable deduction) for individuals earning above $100,000 and households above $150,000. Also see:
Testimony from Ways & Means Committee hearing (2/24/12).
Illinois: Governor Quinn set a March 1 deadline for an agreement to be reached over the tax-exempt status of nonprofit hospitals and halted the Illinois Department of Revenue from taking any action. Agreement
was not reached by the deadline and the governor has lifted the moratorium on the state’s review of property tax exemptions prompting hospital groups to respond. Also see: Illinois Hospitals Ready if Tax Exemption Talks Break Down, AP/Journal Star
This Caught Our Eye…
Philanthropy's Role: Kevin Murphy, executive director of the Berks County Community Foundation and board vice chair of the Council of Foundations, explains why policymakers should not look to the foundation community to close budget gaps. Also see: Charities Must Stand Up to the States, Chronicle of Philanthropy
Business and Philanthropy: A Huffington Post op-ed suggests that business has made a greater impact on society by pursuing its profit-making mission than corporate philanthropy.
Pro-Bono Movement: U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), co-founder of Venture Philanthropy Partners, advocates for more pro-bono services from American businesses to the nonprofit sector through a new campaign called A Billion+Change.
Philanthropy and the News: The New York Times has eliminated its philanthropy beat.
Upcoming Event
Last Week to Register Online!
ACRSummit for Leaders
March 21, 2012
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Mayflower Renaissance Hotel
1127 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Register Now: http://summitforleaders.eventbrite.com
(Online registration closes March 14th; after March 14th call 202.822.8333)
The Alliance for Charitable Reform's Summit for Leaders offers a half-day of programming to provide a snapshot of the current political issues impacting philanthropy and nonprofits, and guidance on how to effectively advance your cause amid competing priorities and constant commotion. The Summit is an excellent opportunity for foundation executives, nonprofit leaders, and others interested in the intersection of public policy and philanthropy.
Sessions
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Transparency: All, nothing, or something in between?
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Inside Washington
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State - Issues to Watch
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Lobbying 2.0: Advanced advocacy strategies
For session descriptions and speakers click here.
Other Events on March 21:
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Luncheon
12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
Luncheon co-hosted by ACR, Council on Foundations and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers with commentary and analysis on the Republican Primary and the General Election by Stuart Rothenberg Editor and Publisher, The Rothenberg Political Report and Columnist, Roll Call.
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ACR Fly In/Speak Out (Lobby Day)
Wednesday Afternoon
Meetings with senior Congressional staff to discuss the importance of maintaining incentives for charitable giving. With President Obama once again expected to call for limiting the charitable deduction, and some Members of Congress continuing the hunt for revenue to help pay for other priorities, 2012 is shaping up to be another challenging year for the sector. Therefore, it is important that nonprofit leaders remind policymakers about what is at stake should policy changes drive less private giving. RSVP to Patrice Lee (plee@philanthropyroundtable.org or call 202-822-8333).as the charitable deduction. Location: Capitol Hill.
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Reception
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Reception to acknowledge the work of a key Member of Congress who is championing issues important to private philanthropy. Location: The Monocle Restaurant
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Register: http://summitforleaders.eventbrite.com/ until March 14. After March 14 please call 202-822-8333.
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Foundations on the Hill
The ACR Summit for Leaders is held in conjunction with Foundations on the Hill (FOTH), hosted by the Council on Foundations and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. We encourage Summit attendees who are eligible to participate in FOTH to visit www.foundationsonthehill.org for more information. Attendees must register separately for Foundations on the Hill here.
For more information contact Patrice Lee at The Philanthropy Roundtable (plee@philanthropyroundtable.org or 202.822.8333).
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