Giving100 Celebrates 100 Years of American Charitable Giving and Educates Organizations and Individuals on the Tax Incentive Ahead of Tax Reform Debate
(WASHINGTON, April 4, 2017) – Independent Sector — a membership organization for nonprofits, foundations, and corporations advancing the common good — has launched a campaign to raise awareness within the charitable community about the importance of expanding the charitable deduction to all taxpayers.
Giving100 celebrates 100 years of the charitable deduction and the American tradition of building community, helping our neighbors, and supporting the causes we care about. The website – Giving100.org — includes an explainer video, other shareable content, and a way for organizations and individuals to share their giving stories and support for expanding the charitable deduction to all taxpayers.
Currently, the charitable tax deduction is only available to American taxpayers who itemize on their taxes and those who itemize tend to have higher incomes. Independent Sector has been working with policymakers over the last year to push for a “universal” charitable deduction in order to incentivize more giving. Americans are generous but research has shown that people do give more when they are incentivized to do so. In 2015, Americans gave $370 billion to charitable organizations to fund high-quality arts, increase access to education and healthcare, create opportunities for escaping the cycle of poverty, help military veterans, mentor youth, and protect the natural world.
“For 100 years, the charitable deduction has encouraged Americans to give away their money and in doing so, strengthen their passions and community,” said Daniel J. Cardinali, president and CEO of Independent Sector. “As the tax reform debate heats up in Washington, we should encourage our policymakers to reinforce a tax code that unleashes more giving to our neighbors, communities, and country.”
Learn more about Giving100 at Giving100.org.
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Independent Sector is the only national membership organization that brings together a diverse set of nonprofits, foundations, and corporations to advance the common good. Learn more at independen1stg.wpengine.com.
Contact: Kristina Gawrgy Campbell, kristinac@independen1stg.wpengine.com, 202-467-6144
