Policy Action Center

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Let us know about your relationships with members of Congress so that the Council can contact you in critical and timely situations when it involves your key contact.

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For the philanthropic sector to fulfill its mission to serve our communities and those in need, it must be engaged in the public policy process. As Congress continues to examine the charitable sector—looking at compensation, foundation governance, and charitable giving vehicles like donor-advised funds and supporting organizations—it is vital that lawmakers hear from their foundation constituents.

Urge Your Senators to Support Legislation to Extend the IRA Charitable Rollover (S.2886)

On April 17 the Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) introduced legislation, S.2886, to extend the IRA charitable rollover as part of a package of expired and expiring tax incentives. The legislation proposes to extend the IRA charitable rollover provision in the form of it’s expiration at the end of 2007 which allows individuals to take tax-free distributions from their IRAs (up to $100,000 per taxpayer per taxable year). The proposal extends the provision to the end of 2009.

Take Action: Send Your Senators a Letter to Support an Extension of the IRA Charitable Rollover

Urge Senate Conferees to include RCIP in 2008 Farm Bill

On October 25, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved a $283 billion five-year farm bill reauthorization measure. Included in the bill is $135 million in mandatory funds over the next five years for the Rural Collaborative Investment Program (RCIP), a program that is designed to enhance regional rural competitiveness, and establish a specific new direction for USDA Rural Development. Send senate conferees of the Farm Bill a letter to ensure that robust funding for RCIP is included in the Farm Bill.

Take Action: Urge Senate Conferees to include RCIP in the 2008 Farm Bill

Urge Your State Senator to Oppose Legislation Mandating Foundations to Track and Disclose Diversity Related Data

On January 29, 2008, the California State Assembly passed a bill that would require foundations to collect ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation data related to their governance, staff, and grantmaking practices. It is imperative that California foundations contact their state senator urging them to oppose this legislation.

Take Action: Urge Your State Senator to Oppose A.B.624

Urge Your Senators to Support the Food Donations Bill

In April 2007, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced S.1132, a bill that would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow corporations to take an enhanced deduction when donating food to American Indian tribes and Alaska natives. If S.1132 passes, it would give corporations and other organizations an additional incentive to donate food to American Indian tribes and Alaska natives.

Take Action: Urge Your Senators to co-sponsor S.1132

Thank Senator Roberts for Supporting the IRA Rollover

Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced a new IRA rollover bill (S.2264). The bill proposes to extend a provision in the Pension Protection Act of 2006 to allow tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes for two years. It is important we recognize and thank Senator Roberts for his efforts and encourage him to also support legislation that would allow distributions to other philanthropic vehicles such as donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, and private foundations to qualify for this tax incentive.

Take Action: Send Senator Roberts a Thank You letter

Urge Your Representative to Join the New Congressional Philanthropy Caucus

Belonging to the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus will keep members of Congress and their staffs informed about foundations and the roles that they play in their communities and around the globe. Caucus members will discover the common interests they have with foundations and learn how legislation affects the charitable sector. Encourage your representative to support philanthropy by becoming a member of the caucus.

Take Action: Urge your Representative to Join the Philanthropy Caucus
Representatives Tubbs Jones and Hayes Dear Colleague letter announcing and encouraging their House colleagues to join the Philanthropy Caucus.

Please Note: At this time a Senate philanthropy caucus is not in place. Our efforts in this area continue—stay tuned for future call to actions.

Urge Your Legislators to Co-sponsor the Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2007

The Public Good IRA Rollover Act would allow gifts made to donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, and private foundations to qualify for the IRA charitable rollover. It is critical that we tell members of Congress that we back an IRA charitable rollover that allows distributions to donor-advised funds to qualify for an incentive beyond 2007.


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