Watch the IS Members-Only July 2012 Webinar

The debate about our country’s fiscal future is under way, with talk of tax increases and spending cuts a constant agenda item for Congress.

The choices that our representatives make could have profound implications for our organizations and the people we serve. Now is the time to connect face-to-face with your elected officials or their key staff and tell them the impact of these decisions.

Key Messages
When speaking with your representatives, highlight these four messages:

1. Protect the charitable deduction and reject proposals that limit (or eliminate) the deduction to pay for other legislative proposals
2. Extend and make permanent the IRA charitable rollover and other charitable giving provisions
3. Any legislation to spur employment should include nonprofits because the nonprofit sector is a major employer and contributes to a strong economy.
4. Reduce the federal deficit without increasing poverty or income inequality

See below for more information on these key messages, including materials for download.

Latest News

• Diana Aviv, IS president and CEO, writes in The Nonprofit Times what every elected official should know about the nonprofit sector. Read the article.

• Watch the IS Members-Only webinar on how to take advantage of summer recess and connect with lawmakers.
  

How to Connect With Members of Congress
Congressional members are particularly eager to meet with constituents during election season, so use this time to:

• Get on your representative’s calendar and set-up a meeting in the district office. Click to find the district office information for the House or the Senate.
• Invite your representative to visit your agency, participate in one of your programs, fundraisers or board meetings.

These visits enhance your representative’s understanding of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, and provide exposure for your elected official and your work serving the community.

Watch the IS Members-Only July 2012 Webinar and learn how to create local events and use town hall meetings.

Message Background and Materials
Highlight these four messages when speaking with your representatives

1. Protect the charitable deduction and reject proposals that limit (or eliminate) the deduction to pay for other legislative proposals
   Nonprofits draw on America’s charitable spirit to support programs vital to our communities and the people we serve. The charitable deduction is more important than ever as government looks increasingly towards the nonprofit sector to meet increased demand for services that result from the economic downturn and government cuts in programs. Urge lawmakers to protect this incentive and reject proposals that limit (or eliminate) the deduction to pay for other legislative proposals.
   

• Use this one-page leave-behind
• Refer to this FAQ to answer tough questions about the charitable deduction

2. Protect charitable giving extenders
   While the IRA charitable rollover, an important giving incentive that allows people over the age of 70½ to donate up to $100,000 to charity from their Individual Retirement Accounts, was made permanent as part of the so-called fiscal cliff deal in January 2013, other enhanced charitable deductions for food and book inventory, and computer equipment are still vulnerable. Tell your lawmakers that these incentives need to be included in all federal budget discussions. Nonprofits are struggling to meet increasing demand for services in the face of diminishing revenues, and we need these incentives for giving to spur support for our programs and services. Include specific stories of how your organization relies on these incentives.

• Use this one-page leave-behind on the IRA rollover
• Download Independent Sector’s written statement urging immediate reinstatement

3. Any legislation to spur employment should include nonprofits because the nonprofit sector is a major employer and contributes to a strong economy.
   Employment is the number one issue of concern for Americans and lawmakers alike. When speaking with lawmakers, be sure to tell them how many people your organization employs, and highlight the fact that your organization is part of a larger nonprofit sector that employs 1 out of every 10 Americans.

• Use these state and national profiles to highlight the economic impact and breadth of the work of the nonprofit and philanthropic community.

4. Reduce the federal deficit without increasing poverty or income inequality
   Urge your lawmakers to protect programs for low-income Americans in deficit reduction efforts.

• View the petition
• Download IS Principles on Deficit Reduction and Tax Reform

Spread the Word
Share your voice!  Let your stakeholders know when you are meeting with lawmakers by adding the hashtag #npvoice to your tweets.

Use your lawmakers’ Twitter handle to Tweet your appreciation and thank your representatives on their Facebook page to extend the conversation after the meeting.