Community Philanthropy Update - April 2021
Dear Friend,
Over the last two years, conversations with community foundation leaders from across the country have deepened my understanding of the complexity and importance of your work. I have a personal commitment to advocating for the unique needs and priorities of community foundations, and the Council will continue to underscore your important work and its impact on the sector. I have specifically heard from many of you that proposed legislation around donor advised funds is a high-priority item from both an organizational and a public policy standpoint.
Donor advised funds (DAFs) continue to be a vital tool to cultivate new donor relationships and expand giving. At the same time, the accelerated use of DAFs has increased public scrutiny of this philanthropic vehicle. With conversations about legislation regulating DAFs active in several states and here in Washington DC, the Council is dedicated to protecting community foundations’ right to sponsor DAFs and to do so without undue administrative burdens. As we endeavor to best represent your interests to policymakers and government agencies, we will listen deeply and engage with our members so that we can understand the varying points of view on the issues. To that end, in April:
- Council leadership joined community foundations and national DAF sponsors on calls with the Treasury Department to ensure that policymakers are aware of the data behind DAFs and concerns about regulation.
- David Kass, Council Vice President of Government Affairs, and Mason Rummel, President of the James Graham Brown Foundation and Co-Chair of the Council’s Public Policy Committee, held a members-only call to share information and answer questions about the Initiative to Accelerate Charitable Giving draft proposal. Council members can view the recording to learn more.
To ensure that the Council’s policy team represents your interests, we are joining a number of listening sessions with community foundations around the country over the coming months. To add your voice and perspective, please email or set up a call with Jenn Holcomb, our Director of Government Affairs.
I’m excited to have the chance to keep in touch and stay connected with each of you through this monthly newsletter, which will highlight the work of community foundations and keep you updated on Council programming and resources that advance your work.
Please contact me if you have any feedback about the Council's support for your work.
Until next time,
Kathleen Enright
President & CEO
|
|
|
The Minneapolis Foundation – Responding to Tragedy Watch an impactful video of Chanda Smith Baker, The Minneapolis Foundation’s Chief Impact Officer, responding to the tragic killing of Daunte Wright and the ensuing tumult in the Twin Cities. On Twitter, the foundation reaffirmed their commitment to stand in solidarity with members of the Black community and to continue the pursuit of racial justice and equity.
The Dayton Foundation Centennial We are proud to join The Dayton Foundation in recognizing their 100th anniversary on April 5, and with it, their year-long Centennial Celebration launched in November of last year. The initiative includes awards of one-time grants from one hundred of the Foundation’s fund holders to special causes of their choice. Congratulations to The Dayton Foundation on this milestone!
Project Equity: Redesigning the Lehigh Valley Nonprofit Sector The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has undertaken a critical and ambitious journey in their new enterprise, Project Equity: Redesigning the Lehigh Valley Nonprofit Sector. The foundation is working with other nonprofit leaders and members of the community to co-design a common vision, values, and strategies for rebuilding an equitable and sustainable nonprofit sector in Lehigh Valley. Project Equity exemplifies the innovative thinking and creative collaboration that characterizes philanthropy at its best. Have a story of impact you want to share? Email us at. |
Trending Philanthropy Exchange ConversationsThe Philanthropy Exchange is a peer-to-peer platform that connects Council members around shared interests, topics, or resources.
|
Summary Answer: Given that they are for-profit, assisting media companies requires an analysis of how such endeavors interact with the private benefit doctrine. The activity you are funding must not only be charitable, but providing support for a for-profit must be absolutely necessary in order to achieve your charitable purpose.
