Our nation’s freedoms of speech and association enshrined in the First Amendment are essential to safeguarding liberty and opportunity. They demand personal responsibility, and bold leaders to carry them forward.
Spirited debate isn’t a flaw in our democracy – it is its lifeblood. For more than 200 years, Americans have enjoyed essential rights and freedoms that empower citizens to support causes they believe in and build institutions that serve the common good.
Few people knew this better than Charlie Kirk. His assassination wasn’t just an attack to silence his voice. It was an attempt to mute the free exchange of ideas that strengthens our nation.
Being free to stand up for what one believes is good, right and true, and expressing that support through charitable dollars, at the polls or in the public square is a uniquely American privilege. The patchwork of people and organizations addressing needs in their communities lifts people up and holds us all accountable to caring for one another. It is core to our national identity, and it makes this the greatest country in the world.
But those liberties are again under attack. An intolerance of challenging viewpoints has spread throughout our society with tragic outcomes. Violence and bloodshed have become the language of political dissatisfaction. These attacks—from the intentional chilling of speech to horrific political violence—have no place in our society.
Philanthropy should be solving society’s division, not making it worse. And no group should hide behind their charitable designation to break the law. Philanthropy Roundtable supports the use of oversight and other enforcement actions as important tools to hold bad actors breaking the law accountable.
But we cannot forget that philanthropy is free speech. Unfortunately, time and again, we have seen government officials single out and even subpoena nonprofit organizations based on ideological differences. One notable example was when the IRS, under the Obama administration, targeted conservative and faith-based groups for extra scrutiny. There have also been a number of instances across the country where overzealous state attorneys general have sought to obtain private communications, including donor information, with the goal of chilling speech and association.
Charitable giving puts conservative values into action. Supporting a vibrant collection of think tanks, public interest law firms and youth movements like the one Charlie Kirk founded, our network advances freedom and opportunity through the generosity of private philanthropy.
Today, charitable dollars support things the government cannot, or should not, do. Everything from life-changing scientific research and medical care for our nation’s veterans to local homeless shelters and neighborhood food pantries is made stronger and more effective through private giving. Generous Americans can take risks, make big bets, and invest in innovative ideas even when the return isn’t clear or guaranteed. They can also act fast in a crisis—showing up at a moment’s notice when people need help the most.
The Roundtable stands firmly on the side of philanthropic freedom and defends the right of Americans to give how, when and where they choose within the bounds of the law. We are proud to be the home for donors committed to advancing liberty, opportunity and personal responsibility through effective charitable giving.
We will continue to educate policymakers about the vital role philanthropy plays in our society. Those bravely working to make our country more free and prosperous need the support of generous citizens. By protecting the freedom to give, we can secure our nation and renew the promise of civil society.
