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Key Issues

Background and resources on policy issues of interest on the federal level. 

Charitable Deduction
2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the charitable deduction. Since 1917, the federal charitable tax deduction has provided a tax deduction for donations made to nonprofit organizations by taxpayers who itemize their tax returns, roughly one-third of all Americans. See the Forum's position and resources on this issue.

Johnson Amendment
A current law, also known as the "Johnson Amendment," prohibits 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from endorsing, opposing or contributing to political candidates and engaging in partisan campaign activities. Three bills introduced in the 115th Congress would adversely affect this law. See our position and resources on this issue. 

2020 Census
Given the importance of the 2020 census to our communities and the challenges it is facing, the Forum is leading an effort to engage philanthropy in ensuring a fair and accurate census count.

Donor Advised Funds
Donor advised funds are powerful tools – both for average people who want to make lasting commitments to their communities, as well as those with significant financial resources who are looking for an alternative to a private foundation. See the Forum's position and resources on this issue.

Simplification of the Excise Tax
A uniform excise tax rate would increase funds available for local communities by freeing private foundations from the administrative task of calculating the amount of additional eligible expenditure needed to qualify for the lower 1% rate. See the Forum's position and resources on this issue.

Other Issues of Interest

Endowed Philanthropy

Position statements made by philanthropy-serving organizations in defence of endowed philanthropy.

Homelessness 

Visit Funders Together to End Homelessness to learn more about how philanthropy can help advance solutions that will prevent and end homelessness in our country.

Immigration & Refugee Resources

Visit the website of Forum Member Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees. Their site provides up-to-date resources and information to help you understand the issues and take action.

Responding to State Budget Issues

This statewide movement, led by The Pittsburgh Foundation and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, invites Pennsylvania nonprofits, community foundations, United Ways and other funders to advocate for full funding of human services in this year’s budget, as well as for permanent reforms that would protect human services providers in future budget delays. 
 
Find information on messaging and talking points, nonprofit lobbying, foundation lobbying, a social media tookit, a sample letter to the editor, and more.
 
Forefront (IL) and Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia respond to the ongoing budget crisis in their respective states.
 

Resource Spotlight

Strengthening Philanthropy’s Capacity to Engage in Policy: Progress Report on United Philanthropy Forum’s PolicyWorks Initiative

Through PolicyWorks, the Forum provides its regional and national PSO members with a wide range of support, including peer learning and sharing, policy-focused webinars, an annual PolicyWorks Institute, an annual policy capacity assessment and profile, and much more. This report highlights key areas of progress for PolicyWorks during its first nine years, based on the responses of 32 regional PSOs. It documents some dramatic gains in regional PSOs’ capacity to engage in government relations, advocacy and public policy work, and the critical role that the Forum has played indirectly supporting this growth.

Related Resources

#FOTH2024 Social Media Toolkit

The Forum designed a social media toolkit to help #FOTH2024 participants amplify the impact of their advocacy efforts on the Hill.

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