A Philanthropic First
I’m writing today to share with you some great news about an unprecedented, pro-active legislative initiative the Council is launching on behalf of the entire philanthropic sector. Called the 2007 Agenda for Philanthropic Partnership, it represents a whole new way of strategic, affirmative thinking about partnering with government to advance a legislative agenda that promotes the growth of philanthropy.

Pro-active and Pro-growth
With this agenda, the Council’s Board of Directors has approved a sweeping proactive, pro-growth public policy agenda that aims to grow philanthropy in both rural and urban areas. Rather than react to proposed legislation, we intend to lead the way: defining what philanthropy is, what it can do for society, and ensuring public policy supports our goals.

Five Key Objectives
We have identified five specific initiatives that we plan to focus on this year.

1. Improve the Donor-advised Fund, Supporting Organization Reforms in the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA)

2. Expand and Permanently Extend the IRA Charitable Rollover Incentive

3. Simplify the Private Foundation Excise Tax on Net Investment Income

4. Propose to Establish a Low-profit Limited Liability Company (L3C)

5. Extend the Deductions for Contributions of Qualified Conservation Property

For a more detailed view of these initiatives, please visit the Council’s website.

A new approach with Congress—a new way of thinking
As you will recall, the Council originally had planned to introduce one “Philanthropic Growth Act”—a comprehensive bill that would have included each of those components. However, given the diverse set of policy proposals, we decided we could be more effective by advancing each of these initiatives separately, and partner with different colleagues as appropriate. We believe this approach provides the best environment to proactively advocate for one or more initiatives when the time is right, while not jeopardizing other areas of our sector.

We will need your help with Congress
In the coming months, we will ask that you communicate with your lawmakers about the importance of these issues. We are developing a new online tool that will make it easier for you to contact your members of Congress. You will receive more information about this in the near future. In the meantime, if you have not already signed up to be part of the Council’s Legislative Network, I urge you to do so. When Congress is in session, you will receive weekly e-updates of the latest developments affecting foundations on Capitol Hill.

Together, we can make this legislative agenda a reality. I hope you will join us and continue to provide us with your ideas and feedback to help achieve legislative successes for philanthropy!

Sincerely,

Steve Gunderson
President and CEO