We are a diverse group of individuals from across this country's political spectrum who share a deep concern for the unmet human needs of people and communities in America, especially those who struggle with the effects of poverty. Since June of this year, we have come together as a Working Group on Human Needs and Faith-Based and Community-Based Initiatives.
We are united on the need for changes in the tax laws that will affirm the generosity of all Americans who make charitable contributions and unleash significant new resources for America's armies of compassion.
We are still working to fully define our areas of agreement and common ground. We have agreed not to take any public position on specific legislation, or whether Congress should consider any issue--including tax incentives--separately at this time, or later as a part of a comprehensive package.
Today, in advance of our final report, we issue this statement on tax incentives because President Bush has called upon Congress to bring this matter to the floor before Congress adjourns in December. When Congress does act, we believe it should:
1. Permit charitable tax deductions for non-itemizers. Today, upper- and middle-income Americans who itemize may deduct charitable contributions, not to exceed certain limits. Allowing deductions to non-itemizers will acknowledge all who give, and encourage many new contributions.
2. Allow deductibility from the first dollar contributed up to a ceiling equal to the standard deduction, as proposed earlier this year by President Bush. The first dollar from the person who cleans the building by night should receive the same treatment as that of the executive who runs the office by day. Further, at a time when Americans of modest means have sacrificed so much for us all, to set low limits on deductibility of contributions (such as the $25 limit on individuals set by the House), profoundly fails to properly honor those who give the most of what they have.
3. Ease limitations on charitable contributions from IRAs and other similar accounts. For many years, the tax code has given favorable treatment to taxpayers who contribute stock, pieces of art, and other appreciated property to qualified non-profit organizations. Those whose primary appreciated assets are contained in IRAs or other retirement accounts, however, incur significant tax liabilities if they make comparable gifts. We urge Congress to remove penalties on these generous Americans, providing them tax treatment at least as favorable as those allowed to high-income donors of appreciated assets.
The changes we recommend will be powerful symbols at a time when national unity is so important--when Americans are being asked to give from their time and treasure as never before. These incentives will also generate substantial increases in revenue for crucial community-based and faith-based organizations, groups that will leverage the dollars given with the time, energy, and compassion of volunteers.
There is no question that both government and the private sector need to address unmet human needs, and that community- and faith-based initiatives are a vital part of the equation. Resulting tax losses from any new tax incentive should not be used as a basis to reduce the nation's overall commitment to social programs through government action.
It is our hope that Congress and the President will build on the common ground that we all share: a deep commitment to address the unmet needs of children, families, and communities across America, especially those struggling with poverty and loss.
Working Group on Human Needs and Faith-Based/Community-Based Initiatives
Washington, D.C
November 16, 2001
Note: Steven Waldman, the co-founder of Beliefnet, is one of the participants in the working group. (Organizational affiliations of Working Group members listed below are solely for identification purposes).
Working Group on Human Needs and Faith-Based/Community-Based Initiatives*
Chairman
Harris Wofford, Former United States Senator (D-PA)
Aly R. Abuzaakouk
Executive Director, American Muslim Council
Clay Brewer
Vice President & COO, Big Brothers, Big Sisters USA
David Caprara
President, The Empowerment Network
John Castellani
Director, Teen Challenge
Luis Cortes, Jr.
Director, Nueva Esperanza
Bob Edgar
General Secretary, National Council of Churches
Floyd Flake
Senior Pastor, Allen American Methodist Episcopal Church
Richard Foltin
Director of Legislative Affairs, American Jewish Committee
Robert Franklin
President, Interdenominational Theological Center
Wilson Goode, Sr.
Former Mayor of Philadelphia; Faith-Based Initiatives, Public/Private Ventures
Morton H. Halperin
Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
K. Seamus Hasson
President, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
Bob Hawkins
President and CEO, Institute for Contemporary Studies
Charles Haynes
Irving Katz
President, National.Assembly of Health and Human Service Organizations
Richard Land
President, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
Eileen Lindner
Editor, Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches
Jim Lindsay
Executive Director, Catholic Network of Volunteer Services
Barry Lynn
Director, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State
Will Marshall
Director, Progressive Policy Institute
Elliot Mincberg
Vice-President and General Counsel, People for the American Way
Laura Murphy
Director, Washington National Office, ACLU
David Saperstein
Rabbi; Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Hilary Shelton
Director, NAACP Washington office
Ronald Sider
President, Evangelicals for Social Action
Ralph Smith
Vice President, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Carole Thompson, Casey Site Team Leader, Making Connections Work, Camden, NJ
Dean Trulear
Senior Pastor, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church
Melanne Verveer
Chair, Vital Voice Global Partnership; Former Chief of Staff to Hillary Clinton
Judith Vredenburgh
CEO, Big Brothers, Big Sisters USA
Steve Waldman
Co-Chairman and Founder, Beliefnet.com
Karen Woods
Vice-President for State Initiatives, Empowerment Network
Robert Woodson
President, National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise
Facilitator:
Larry Spears, Consensus Council, Inc.
Staff: Search for Common Ground-USA
Staff Director: Gerald Kamens
Senior Projects Manager: Marie Williams
Executive Director: Roger Conner
*Organizational names for identification purposes only
