Last week, Helen Flannery, a researcher at the progressive Institute for Policy Studies, took to Twitter to share a misleading take on IRS data on private foundation grants to donor-advised funds (DAFs). According to Flannery, tax return data from 2021 suggests that $2.6 billion in private foundation grants were contributed to national DAFs.
In an op-ed published June 21, 2023 in The Hill entitled “A constitutional overreach with dire consequences for philanthropy,” Jack Salmon, Philanthropy Roundtable’s director of policy research, examines why proposals to tax unrealized capital gains could have disastrous consequences for charitable giving.
Nearly every selective college in the country discriminates on the basis of race in admitting students because the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed it for decades. This month, the Court is expected to revoke that permission slip when it issues opinions in two cases brought by Students for Fair Admissions that challenge affirmative action at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. The good news is there are many other, better ways to support the disadvantaged than using race-based preferences.
Two years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed the constitutional right to anonymous giving in its Americans for Prosperity Foundation v Bonta decision. Ruling that California could not justify its blanket disclosure requirement for the major donors of nonprofits in the state, the Court again recognized that forced disclosure regimes have a chilling effect on voluntary giving and association.
In 2022, charitable giving in the United States experienced a decline, marking a rare occurrence in a year characterized by economic uncertainty and stock market volatility. The Giving USA 2023 report, published by the Giving USA Foundation and researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, reveals key insights into philanthropy trends during this challenging period.
As Americans across the country celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, Philanthropy Roundtable would like to recognize the significant impact and importance of fathers in both family and community life. I recently sat down with Brad Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, to discuss the state of fatherhood in America and how nonprofits can help dads make a difference in the lives of their children.
On Monday, the nation will celebrate its newest national holiday, Juneteenth. June 19 commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people were declared free in America. One way to celebrate Juneteenth is through powerful depictions of freedom fighters and their efforts to achieve equality for all. Julius Rosenwald, who rose to become president of Sears, Roebuck and Company, is one philanthropist who comes to mind.
This week Philanthropy Roundtable published a new policy brief on the Moore v. United States case and potential consequences for the charitable sector if taxes on unrealized gains are deemed constitutional. The ultimate ruling by the Supreme Court on this matter could lead to dire outcomes for the philanthropic community, with the potential to undermine the transformative work nonprofits do across the nation.
In recent years we have seen growing political momentum for wealth taxes, the most common of which is a proposal to tax unrealized capital gains. A tax of this nature could have significant negative impact on philanthropy and charitable organizations. Taxing unrealized gains means investors would have to pay taxes on the gains they have not yet received, reducing the amount of money available for charitable giving.
Headlines are full of updates for those following the latest diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) quota news. In the last few weeks alone, Florida has banned public universities from spending money on DEI initiatives or teaching “critical race theory,” the Texas legislature is considering similar legislation and the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on a challenge to affirmative action in higher ed in the coming weeks.
The generosity of donors and the ingenuity of nonprofits have the capacity to solve our nation’s mental health crisis. Meet some of the philanthropists and problem-solvers confronting this challenge and learn more about how our community’s values are improving lives.
Aaron MacLean joined Philanthropy Roundtable’s board of directors in May, bringing years of public service experience and a dedication to the Roundtable’s mission. Currently serving as senior director at The Paul E. Singer Foundation and a senior fellow at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, MacLean’s expertise includes the role of public policy in preserving democracy.
Enabling Americans to continue to give and volunteer generously and freely first requires recognizing the value of philanthropy for a thriving civil society. This ultimately starts with respecting the freedom of speech, freedom of association and the rights of donors to give freely and anonymously.
Charitable organizations continue to face several challenges that may negatively impact the generous spirit of Americans. A healthy U.S. economy with robust rates of growth is what ultimately drives increases in the level of disposable income in society and, in turn, provides donors with more resources to give to charitable causes. However, the recent rise in populist rhetoric and policy proposals undermines the economic dynamism that drives charitable giving.
In the May 23 Washington Examiner, Philanthropy Roundtable Adjunct Senior Fellow Patrice Onwuka wrote an op-ed offering an alternative to the failing diversity agenda approaches seen in the business, academic and nonprofit sectors, focusing on True Diversity instead.
At first glance, ninety-four-year-old Geraldine Tyler may seem like any other elderly grandmother. She loves her family and enjoys playing bingo with her friends. But, unlike most seniors, she won a lawsuit this week at the U.S. Supreme Court that will likely save thousands of people from a predatory tax scheme known as home equity theft.
The American spirit of generosity—exemplified by our nation’s longstanding tradition of charitable giving and volunteering—has played a critical role in U.S. history and is foundational to American civil society still today.
America’s young people are under attack from all cultural fronts. In a recent New York Times op-ed, David Brooks says Gen Z is growing up in a “culture of distrust” that discourages risk taking, encourages self-protection and tends to delay significant life milestones like getting a driver’s license, pursuing post-secondary education, getting married and having children.
In honor of Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, Philanthropy Roundtable sat down with Kara Hirschfeld, U.S. Army Reserves veteran and digital marketing manager at Philanthropy Roundtable, and Rich Rodriguez, U.S. Navy Reserves service member and director of IT at Philanthropy Roundtable, to talk about their military service and the vital role philanthropy plays in supporting the military and veteran communities.
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 Read more…