This morning I received the following message from the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits:
“Protect the Work of Nonprofits – Make 2 Urgent Phone Calls Today
News media are reporting that the President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are seriously considering imposing new limits on the charitable giving incentive as part of a package to avert the “fiscal cliff.† Unless they hear a huge groundswell of opposition immediately, the ability of charitable nonprofits – everything from churches and synagogues to local food banks, cultural groups (Editor’s note: like the North Carolina Writers’ Network), Girl Scouts, and United Ways – to raise the funds they need to serve others may be sharply curbed for many years to come. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University estimates that this proposal would take away $2.43 billion a year from nonprofits.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO:
Call the White House (202-456-1111) and the Speaker (202-225-0600) RIGHT NOW and give the operator this message:
- The 28% limit on charitable deductions hurts front-line charities serving people in need. Don’t hurt the helpers. Don’t limit charitable deductions!
- Give your name, city, and state, and tell what the charitable deduction means to the work you do or the services you rely on.
Also send Tweets to @WhiteHouse and @SpeakerBoehner telling them not to limit charitable deductions. Consider this sample Tweet:
@WhiteHouse @SpeakerBoehner – Capping charitable deductions hurts communities. Say no to 28% limit! #protectgiving
THE NEXT MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO:
Forward this message to everyone you know who cares about the work of your nonprofit, the services you provide, and the people you serve.
That means forward this email to all of your co-workers, board members, volunteers, clients, people served, and colleagues with other nonprofits in your community.
The White House Comment Line operates from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call now and forward this message. If the lines are busy, please keep trying.
Go to www.ncnonprofits.org or www.GiveVoice.org for more information about the threat to the charitable giving incentive and what you can do.