More than 100 Charitable Organizations Join Independent Sector in Support of Charitable Giving Incentives and Reforms

Contact IS Media Relations Lorraine Snebold Vice President Communications and Marketing office: 202-467-6132 cell: 301-351-9016 (after hours) lorraines@independentsector.org Bill Wright Director Communications and Marketing office: 202-467-6131 cell: 202-744-4781 (after hours) bill@independentsector.org

(Washington, D.C. May 25, 2006) – Independent Sector and more than 100 leading charitable organizations delivered a letter today to House and Senate leaders urging Congress to enact a significant package of charitable giving incentives and charitable reforms similar to those included in the Senate's version of the Tax Relief Act of 2005 (H.R. 4297).

The organizations, which include AARP, American Association of Museums, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, National Health Council, The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Salvation Army, and United Way of America, call for tax incentives comparable to the provisions that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support as part of the CARE Act and the Charitable Giving Act in the 108th Congress.  These incentives will spur giving by all Americans at a time when the resources of charitable organizations are stretched thin. 

The organizations also call on Congress to close tax loopholes that have permitted unscrupulous individuals to take advantage of charitable organizations. They support tax reforms that closely mirror recommendations made last year by the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, a broad effort by the charitable community and convened by Independent Sector to improve the accountability, transparency, and governance of charitable organizations.

“These charitable incentives will encourage giving by all Americans to help meet community needs,” said Diana Aviv, president and CEO of Independent Sector. “Coupled with reforms designed to stop real abuses of charitable resources, these provisions would take significant steps to strengthen the charitable organizations that are so vital to our country.”

View a copy of the letter and learn more about the package of incentives and reforms.

At a congressional hearing today, Ms. Aviv testified about the need for tax incentives to encourage charitable giving. The hearing, held by the House of Representatives Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology, examnied The Charitable Giving Act of 2005 (H.R. 3908).

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Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of charities, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups in every state across the nation. Its mission is to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the nonprofit community.