In 2009 I was deployed as an Army Reservist in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. To this day, there are times I still wake up at the crack of dawn, smell a cup of fresh-brewed coffee, walk outside for P.T. (physical training), take in the crisp air and instantly flashback to a November morning forever engraved in my head.
This week Senators Todd Young and James Lankford introduced the Protecting Charitable Giving Act (PCGA), which strengthens and reinforces the penalties for leaking tax documents of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations and their donors.
In an op-ed published by Philanthropy Daily, Patrice Onwuka, Philanthropy Roundtable’s adjunct senior fellow, examines the lack of outrage from diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) advocates in higher education related to condemning the dramatic rise in antisemitism activity on campuses nationwide. While many donors are threatening to pull funding from higher education institutions, Onwuka says there are still ways to give to higher ed that can return these institutions to what they were built for, including fostering intellectual pluralism, academic excellence, workforce preparedness and research.
True Diversity is an equality-based, holistic framework for embracing diversity. It values every person as a unique individual and empowers charitable organizations with the freedom and flexibility to advance their missions and help those in need.
WASHINGTON – Philanthropy Roundtable commends Sen. Todd Young (R-Indiana) and Sen. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) for introducing the Protecting Charitable Giving Act. This legislation strengthens and reinforces the constitutional right to donor privacy by ensuring suitable penalties for criminals who leak Americans’ private information. Further, it expands the options for organizations and individuals to pursue criminal prosecution if their private donor information is leaked.
In an op-ed published by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Jack Salmon, Philanthropy Roundtable’s director of policy research, examines the potential consequences to the philanthropic sector when the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expires at the end of next year. Salmon says while policymakers debate proposals like a wealth tax, regulations on donor-advised funds and changes to the charitable deduction to generate revenue, they should not ignore the unintended consequences of these policy changes on charitable giving.
In 2023, Philanthropy Roundtable introduced a new model bill in the states, the Donor Intent Protection Act (DIPA). When a donor gives a gift to a charity’s endowment, with a written agreement of how it will be used, there is often no recourse for the donor if the agreement is later violated. This legislation provides a legal pathway for the enforcement of written endowment agreements, which encourages giving and benefits donors, charities and the many individuals served by nonprofit organizations.
For those unfamiliar with the National Liberty Museum (NLM), the name itself hints at our engagement in the myriad discussions surrounding the clash of extreme ideologies and the varied interpretations of liberty. Situated in Old City Philadelphia, the museum, which is both privately and publicly funded, faces the added complexity of embodying what a liberty museum should represent during a period of significant division within the United States and globally.
Thousands of generous Americans positively impact their communities by contributing to charities through private foundations. This week, Philanthropy Roundtable released a new paper detailing how higher payout requirements for private foundations would hurt the most vulnerable in our society and harm nonprofits.
Since the Tax Reform Act of 1969, private foundations have operated under strict regulations enforced by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Central to these regulations is the 5% minimum distribution rule, which mandates that foundations distribute at least 5% of their assets’ fair market value each year to qualified charitable organizations.
This month’s Donor Intent Watch includes an update on our legislative efforts, a summary and link to a recent webinar on antisemitism sponsored by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a reminder of the power of a values statement in protecting donor intent and very welcome comments from a donor-affirming fundraising adviser.
In an op-ed recently published in RealClearMarkets, “Why Choice and Merits Are Better Than Board Mandates,” Philanthropy Roundtable Adjunct Senior Fellow Patrice Onwuka says SEC-issued rules requiring race, gender and sexual orientation disclosure mandates on corporate boards for companies on the Nasdaq stock exchange are discriminatory.
Destroyed friendships, self-censorship and intolerance of differing viewpoints are just a few symptoms of an ideological rot spreading on college campuses.
In honor of National Volunteer Month, Philanthropy Roundtable’s Senior Director of Programs Esther Larson recently sat down with Matthew Goldstein, founder & CEO of Besa, who has a vision to “make giving back easy – and transformative”. Goldstein leads the Columbus-based nonprofit, which is dedicated to powering a wave of civic engagement that lifts us all and fulfills critical needs by connecting people to community service.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 brought significant changes to the US tax code, aiming to stimulate economic growth and investment. While permanent reductions in corporate taxes were implemented, many individual tax provisions, including deductions and credits, are set to expire by December 2025.
Philanthropy Roundtable’s Free to Give campaign elevates the voices of everyday Americans who have dedicated their careers to supporting those in need. Their work is made possible by the freedom of all Americans to give to the causes and communities they care about most.
With one in five Americans experiencing mental illness each year, there is a significant opportunity for philanthropic leadership to help address the needs of these vulnerable individuals and provide support for their families. Despite a variety of approaches to funding mental health interventions from a vast array of donors, one funding area receiving increased attention and scrutiny, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic, is youth mental health.
In light of ongoing criticisms of donor-advised funds (DAFs) and their growing popularity as a flexible giving vehicle, Philanthropy Roundtable interviewed one of the authors of a new research report, “The 2024 National Study on Donor-Advised Funds.” The report offers valuable insights into why these criticisms are unfounded. Equally important, the report demonstrates the myriad ways DAFs are used by donors to strategically support charitable causes, democratize giving and improve countless lives.
In light of ongoing criticisms of donor-advised funds (DAFs) and their growing popularity as a flexible giving vehicle, Philanthropy Roundtable interviewed one of the authors of a new research report, “The 2024 National Study on Donor-Advised Funds.” The report offers valuable insights into why these criticisms are unfounded. Equally important, the report demonstrates the myriad ways DAFs are used by donors to strategically support charitable causes, democratize giving and improve countless lives.
In an op-ed published by Philanthropy Daily, Philanthropy Roundtable Director of Policy Research Jack Salmon responds to President Biden’s proposed 2025 budget and its restrictions on donor-advised funds (DAFs). In opposition to Biden’s proposals, Salmon explains how DAFs allow foundations to pursue their charitable missions effectively and provide the ability to innovate and respond quickly in times of crisis. Salmon also says excessive regulation would negatively impact charitable giving and communities in need.