In the News

Excellent Book Review of ‘The Givers’

People who follow the issue of philanthropic freedom are likely to be familiar with David Callahan, who runs the web site Inside Philanthropy and is a critic of much of what we try to protect here at the Alliance for Charitable Reform, such as preserving donors’ right to remain anonymous and to ensure the government […]

Uncertainty remains for religious nonprofits embracing Trump Executive Order

President Trump vowed to “get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment” while speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 2, 2017, referring to the prohibition all 501(c)(3)  organizations from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. Senator Lyndon Johnson (D-TX) […]

Legislation Aimed At Increasing Charitable Giving Introduced In House

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Reps. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Danny Davis (D-IL) reintroduced on May 4 H.R. 2386, the Private Foundation Excise Tax Simplification Act, which will result in more funds being available for charities. Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-OH), George Holding (R-NC), and Richard Nolan (D-MN) are original cosponsors of the legislation. “The House of Representatives has […]

ACR Newsletter 5.5.17 – Trump Releases Tax Outline. Now What?

>> Federal: Washington Roundup >> Federal: President Trump’s Tax Plan >> Federal: Ways and Means Retreat >> Federal: Private Foundation Excise Tax Simplification Act Introduced >> Federal: Roadmap for Action >> Federal: Philanthropic Freedom Featured in Philanthropy Magazine >> Consider This: Bare Bones >> Top Reads: Trump Tax Reform Save For Charities Is Illusory Washington Roundup Congress […]

Little evidence that foundation abuse is “common”

Little evidence that foundation abuse is “common” The Boston Globe published a blog post yesterday titled “It’s a tax rip-off” that describes the salaries paid by the James. G. Martin Memorial Trust to three daughters of the founder (who is still living, according to the article) and quotes several individuals suggesting the salaries are inappropriate: […]

ACR Statement on Trump Tax Reform Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Alliance for Charitable Reform (ACR) released the following statement upon the recent release of President Donald Trump’s tax reform proposal. “We applaud the administration for preserving the charitable deduction and for recognizing that it is a lifeline for millions, not a tax loophole,” said Sandra Swirski, executive director of ACR. Trump’s plan […]

ACR Blog: Don’t Use Tax Reform to Curb Philanthropic Freedom

Philanthropic freedom is a hallmark of American civil society, which is why it is disturbing to see how often it is threatened. Take, for example, a recent Forbes editorial from Jeffrey H. Joseph, a professor at George Washington University’s School of Business. Joseph argues that tax reform should be used as a mechanism to improve […]

Giving100 Campaign Launched to Educate and Mobilize Nonprofit Sector

With the possibility of tax reform as close as it has been in decades, and looming tax proposals that could eliminate the charitable deduction for 95 percent of Americans, an educational initiative was launched today to serve as a resource for nonprofit organizations to inform and activate stakeholders. The Giving100 website, which was spearheaded by […]

“We” Don’t Decide Where Private Giving Should Go

David Callahan of Inside Philanthropy had a provocative and, at least in the view here at the Alliance for Charitable Reform, wrongheaded attack on philanthropic freedom published in The Chronicle of Philanthropy earlier this week (“Stop the Tax Breaks to Donors Who Give to Influence Policy”). A longer response is being prepared challenging many of […]