CALL TO ACTION: International Grantmaking, Donor-Advised Funds
March 6, 2006
On Tuesday, February 28th, the House and Senate conferees to the tax reconciliation conference will begin meeting to reconcile the differences between S. 2020 and H.R. 4297. During meetings last week with conferee staff, the Council’s Government Relations team learned that a few of them had the impression that the sector was mostly worried about provisions related to supporting organizations and not “so concerned” about the donor-advised fund language in the bill. Conferee staff indicated that they were not hearing much about the donor-advised fund provisions.
We need to make sure that ALL the conferees know about our concern with the provision that would prohibit grants from donor-advised funds to international, non-U.S. based charities. Please communicate with your Senators and Representatives and urge them to tell the conferees that this provision must be addressed during the tax reconciliation conference. Click here for a sample letter and instructions. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Brian Flahaven (202/467-0424) or Elina Urli (202/467-0408).
Legislative Alert to International Grantmakers Who Value Donor-Advised Funds!, 2005
January 4, 2006
Dear Council on Foundations Member:
As you may be aware, the U.S. Senate recently passed a tax reform bill (S. 2020) that includes a provision that would restrict grants from donor-advised funds to U.S. 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. If enacted, this provision would bar grants from donor-advised funds to non-U.S. charities unless the foreign organization is determined to be the equivalent of a U.S. 501(c)(3), which can be a lengthy and time-consuming process.
The Council on Foundations is adamantly opposed to this provision and is working hard to make sure that it does not survive a conference committee with a House bill (H.R. 4297) that does not include it. But your help is needed. Donor-advised funds are an important mechanism for international grantmaking used by public charities as well as corporate grantmakers, family foundations, private independent foundations and individual donors.
If you use donor-advised funds for international grants or value this important option for international grantmaking, your immediate action is urgently needed. A House-Senate conference to resolve the differences between S. 2020 and H.R. 4297 could occur as early as February. For more information on House and Senate actions, please visit the Council's Charitable Reform Resource Center.
You are also encouraged to attend Foundations on the Hill co-hosted by the Council on Foundations and Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers.
Foundation representatives from across the country will gather in Washington, DC on March 15th to meet with members of Congress.
By attending Foundations on the Hill, you can develop or strengthen
your relationships with your members of Congress and share your views
on the value of donor-advised funds to your international grantmaking activities. Visit the Foundations on the Hill website for more information.
If your U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative serves on the Senate Finance Committee or the House Ways and Means Committee, please fax a letter to his or her Washington, D.C. office expressing your opposition to the Senate provision of S. 2020 that prohibits grants from donor-advised funds to international, non-U.S. based charities. If your Congressional representatives do not serve on either of these committees, please send letters to the committee chairs and ranking members.
