Private donations will cover revenue losses the city faces from a 38 percent property tax cut enacted in 2017. The goal is to keep the city competitive when fighting for jobs and talent with Southwest Michigan’s many other localities.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Value of Charitable Deduction for All Americans Still Unclear
Charitable giving was sluggish in 2020, according to “Giving USA,” making it hard to see a clear benefit from the temporary tax provisions allowing Americans to deduct charitable gifts even if they don’t itemize.
By dan.parks and Eden Stiffman
Biden Signals Equity Focus With Appointment of Michael Smith to Lead AmeriCorps
Smith currently is executive director of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. His appointment as CEO of AmeriCorps will require Senate confirmation.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Sens. Grassley and King Push Measure to Accelerate DAF and Foundation Giving
Two key U.S. senators introduced legislation Wednesday designed to spur faster payouts from donor-advised funds and foundations, giving new momentum to an effort that has deeply divided philanthropy.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Charities Struggle With the Move From Remote Work to Safely Returning Employees to the Office
Leaders are worried about how to handle questions about who’s vaccinated and whether inequities could be created by policies that allow employees freedom to choose whether to work remotely.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Biden Budget May Spur More Charitable Giving, Experts Say
Nonprofits advocates — also noting the absence of an effort to limit the value of itemized deductions, including contributions to charity — generally gave the budget plan high marks.
By dan.parks
Contributor
First Quarter of 2021 Offers Good News for Nonprofits
The Chronicle’s monthly update on key economic indicators that experts say are important in predicting fundraising results point to continued strong growth as we move into the second quarter of 2021.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
We Agree, Foundations Should Be Held Accountable for High Salaries and Staggering Expenses
Two former foundation officials support the idea of challenging the “staggering” redirection of charitable dollars to pay for “bloated foundation staff” and administrative expenses.
Biden Plan Would Aid People in Poverty and Nonprofits That Serve Them
Nonprofits said they were pleased that Biden did not propose paying for those changes by limiting itemized deductions, including those for charitable giving, for people making $400,000 or more annually.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Donor Privacy Case Before the Supreme Court Is a Threat to Nonprofit Transparency
The challenge to a California law by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation could set in motion broad changes to nonprofit tax rules that would undermine trust in all civic institutions.
By Roger Colinvaux
Contributor
Supreme Court Poised to Hear Landmark Case Involving Donor Privacy
The justices will hear oral arguments Monday on a California law that requires charities to disclose the names of major donors to state regulators. Their decision, expected later this year, could have far-reaching implications for nonprofits nationwide.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Nonprofits Push for Equity in Biden’s Infrastructure Plan
Nonprofits and their advocates are trying to help shape President Biden’s plans to help the people many nonprofits serve and the causes they care about.
By dan.parks
Contributor
White House Actions on Gun Violence Open Opportunities for More Philanthropic Investment
State and local groups are leading the fight for gun-violence prevention legislation, but they need more resources to get the job done and permanently reform our nation’s gun laws.
By Jen Pauliukonis
Contributor
When it Comes to Voting Rights, Philanthropy Needs to Act Like Every Day Is Election Day
Growing state efforts to restrict voting access threaten our democracy and the causes foundations care about. We need to start fighting back now.
By Geri Mannion
Contributor
Plan to Regulate Foundations and DAFs Opens Door to Burdensome Government Intrusion
The hostility to family foundations demonstrated in a critique of conservative advocates is mystifying, say leaders of the Philanthropy Roundtable.
Conservatives Should Applaud — Not Fight — Efforts to Change Philanthropic Giving Rules
Rather than attacking proposals to overhaul donor-advised funds and other giving practices, conservative groups need to focus on the real culprit — the growing use of donor dollars to support political activities.
By Craig Kennedy and William Schambra