(WASHINGTON, January 8, 2009)—Independent Sector yesterday offered the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress six nonprofit policy proposals to help strengthen the ability of Americans to improve our communities and the world through nonprofit organizations.

“Independent Sector worked with an outstanding advisory committee and hundreds of charities and foundations to develop these proposals, which we share with the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress to inform their policy decisions as they relate to the work of the nonprofit community,” said Diana Aviv, president and CEO of Independent Sector.

The platform calls on the administration and Congress to implement fair and responsible fiscal policies, and ensure that government has adequate resources to support vital programs that sustain, protect, and strengthen communities. It also urges Congress to preserve and expand policies -- such as the Serve America Act and the IRA charitable rollover provision -- that help Americans give back to their communities through service opportunities and giving incentives. Additional proposals address the importance of providing nonprofits with the capacity and capital to serve the needs of our communities, increasing the ability of Americans to speak out through nonprofit organizations, protecting international charitable activities, and supporting transparency and accountability.

###

Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of approximately 550 charities, foundations, and corporate giving 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 and philanthropic community.