Wednesday, September 3, 2014
PNY Advocates for America Gives More Act with NY SenatorsThe America Gives More Act has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting action in the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future amid political posturing and election year politics.
Philanthropy New York has joined the Council on Foundations, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, the National Council on Nonprofits and others in urging the philanthropic community to rally in support of the America Gives More Act (H.R.4719). Further, we are contacting our Senators to ask them to urge Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the America Gives More Act to the Senate floor for a vote as soon as possible.
Philanthropy New York’s Public Policy Committee, PNY’s membership and the PNY Board of Directors officially endorsed an important element of the America Gives More Act, the simplification of the federal excise tax on private foundations at one flat rate, in September 2012.
The Act has four key provisions that are important to the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors:
- The bill would make the IRA charitable rollover permanent law.
- It would simplify the private foundation excise tax on net investment income to a single rate of 1 percent.
- It would make permanent current “tax extender” provisions that enhance the deduction contributing land conservation easements and food inventory.
- It extends of the deadline for claiming charitable contributions from December 31st to April 15th of the following year.
These are all important legislative proposals that will improve our nation’s tax law to better support the work of the nonprofits that are doing so much to enhance the lives of all New Yorkers.
This August, PNY’s Board of Directors and Public Policy Committee approved taking action to advocate for the entire Act. We have written letters to our Senators and are in direct communication with the legislative staff for Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. Urging Senate action on the America Gives More Act is consistent with our official policy position.
Since advocacy for legislation that directly affects the operations of private foundations falls within the realm of “self-defense lobbying” Philanthropy New York members and other foundations and nonprofits should feel very comfortable contacting their Senators to give their own support for the America Gives More Act.
If you have questions about the America Gives More Act and Philanthropy New York’s official position on the legislation, please contact Michael Hamill Remaley at mremaley@philanthropynewyork.org.
Other recent news coverage of the America Gives More Act:
Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers: America Gives More Act
National Council of Nonprofits: Tell the Senate to Vote on the America Gives More Act
Council on Foundations: Bipartisan House Super-Majority Passes “America Gives More Act”
Nonprofit Quarterly: Why the Obama White House Says “No!” to the America Gives More Act