An interesting article from Reuters caught my eye yesterday. It was about a proposal in New York to cut state tax deductions for charitable giving for the weathiest citizens. As the article reports, "New York lawmakers want to cut the tax break on charitable giving for about 3,500 people earning more than $10 million a year to 25 percent from 50 percent in a bid to raise $100 million in extra money for the state."
All the usual suspects are quoted in response to this article: foundation heads and nonprofit execs decrying the thought; Paul Schervish from the Center of Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College saying it won't really be a big deal. The same arguments that have been raging on the national scene were all there.
The big difference? This is about a specific state.
As we know, ideas that are not completely salable to the national populous often become tested at the state level. But when it starts to happen in our field, which has, let's face it, lived in relative anonymity for decades, it can be a little jarring. And exhausting to contemplate.
As states begin to focus more on foundation rules and foundation legislation, it means that foundations in those states must become more adept at educating lawmakers about foundations and sharing philanthropy information no just about their states as a whole, but by state representatives' districts. Gone are the days of simply adding a passive "amen" to the Council on Foundations' work in Washington. We've got to get busy here at home.
I'm happy to know that the Southeastern Council of Foundations is leading the charge, supporting statewide grantmaker networks that are focused on policy, and providing several state-focused policy sessions at the upcoming 2010 Annual Meeting. Hopefully, this will help more foundations in our region understand the challenges ahead and how to tackle them most effectively.
Which of the states in the Southeastern Council of Foundations' region will be the first to introduce legislation similar to New York's?
My money's on Florida. What about yours?
All the usual suspects are quoted in response to this article: foundation heads and nonprofit execs decrying the thought; Paul Schervish from the Center of Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College saying it won't really be a big deal. The same arguments that have been raging on the national scene were all there.
The big difference? This is about a specific state.
As we know, ideas that are not completely salable to the national populous often become tested at the state level. But when it starts to happen in our field, which has, let's face it, lived in relative anonymity for decades, it can be a little jarring. And exhausting to contemplate.
As states begin to focus more on foundation rules and foundation legislation, it means that foundations in those states must become more adept at educating lawmakers about foundations and sharing philanthropy information no just about their states as a whole, but by state representatives' districts. Gone are the days of simply adding a passive "amen" to the Council on Foundations' work in Washington. We've got to get busy here at home.
I'm happy to know that the Southeastern Council of Foundations is leading the charge, supporting statewide grantmaker networks that are focused on policy, and providing several state-focused policy sessions at the upcoming 2010 Annual Meeting. Hopefully, this will help more foundations in our region understand the challenges ahead and how to tackle them most effectively.
Which of the states in the Southeastern Council of Foundations' region will be the first to introduce legislation similar to New York's?
My money's on Florida. What about yours?
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