Call Senator Voinovich & Senator Brown Today!

News - Public Policy News

ASK THEM TO OPPOSE EFFORTS TO CAP CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS

As part of efforts to identify funding to pay for health care reform, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee will consider amendments in the next few days that recommend capping the charitable deduction.

We think a cap will hurt our ability to generate the resources necessary to make measurable progress in improving lives in central Ohio through the implementation of strategies in the areas of education, income, health and home.  

It is difficult to precisely determine the dollar impact a cap on charitable deductions would have on non-profit organizations; however, many donors itemize their income taxes and utilize this deduction.  We are concerned that a cap on charitable deductions would negatively affect the ability of our agency partners to fulfill their own missions and the work we do together.

That’s why our CEO, Janet Jackson, joined more than 400 other United Way leaders from all 50 states in signing on to a letter prepared by United Way Worldwide that asks Members of Congress to oppose a cap on charitable deductions.

Federal health care legislation has already generated more than 500 amendments and 23 of them contain caps on charitable deductions. In this uncertain climate, we think it is important for as many of our partners as possible to let Senator Sherrod Brown (614-469-2083) and Senator George Voinovich (614-469-6697) know what impact the potential lost revenue would have on our communities.

If you have not already done so, please contact their offices and let them know about your position.  Specifically, we ask you to share the following:  

1. Capping the deductibility of charitable contributions would negatively impact your ability to provide critical services to needy Ohioans.
2. Congress should not cap charitable deductions, especially during our current economic crisis; and
3. Ask them to oppose any Senate Finance Committee amendment that places a cap on charitable deductions.

If you have questions or want to let us know that you have contacted Senators Brown and Voinovich, please contact Valerie Ridgeway, director of public policy, at 614-227-2706 (valerie.ridgeway@uwcentralohio.org).