Senate leaders are already working on another stimulus package after the passage of the Family First Coronavirus Response Act this week, with a focus on relief for small businesses.
BREAKING NEWS: Senator Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) draft COVID-19 legislation contains a temporary universal charitable deduction provision (for gifts up to $300). Also, the bill appears to suspend the 50% adjusted gross income limitation for individuals’ charitable contributions and makes some corporate changes as well. Those provisions would be limited to the year 2020.
Help us amplify the voices of our partners!
As Congress continues to work on additional legislation, we encourage you share and lift up a letter from national nonprofits with your elected officials, and highlight two key asks in the letter:
- Urge them to infuse $60 billion in capital to America’s charitable nonprofits so they can be equipped to help the most vulnerable affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
- Urge them to enact an “above-the-line” or universal charitable deduction for charitable contributions through the end of 2021. Congress should permit taxpayers to donate today – at the height of the pandemic – and claim the benefit from these deductions on 2019 tax returns
Background: On March 18, 2020, a letter was sent by leading national nonprofits, including the United Philanthropy Forum, asking Congress to provide an infusion of $60 billion in capital to America’s charitable nonprofits to maintain operations, expand the scope to address increasing demands, and stabilize losses from closures throughout the country. In response to Senator McConnell’s introduction of the CARES Act on March 20, 2020, the letter was updated to directly respond the draft bill’s language regarding support for charities.
This is the second letter in a series of communications to Congress. The first letter on March 12, 2020, was sent to Congressional offices outlining why nonprofits must be included in COVID-19 stimulus package legislation. This letter highlighted practical policy examples and solutions for Members of Congress to think about when drafting legislation. On March 14, 2020, the House voted 363-40 to pass H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The final bill includes paid sick leave, food assistance for vulnerable populations and financial help for coronavirus testing.This bill also ensures that nonprofits can use a tax credit to offer paid leave for their employees – one of the requests in the letter.
Earlier this week, the Charitable Giving Coalition also sent a letter to House and Senate leadership and members of the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees urging them to enact a temporary universal charitable deduction to assist with COVID-19 relief efforts.
Also, please see Reps. Smith and Cuellar’s letter to Treasury urging them to enact a universal charitable deduction in any COVID-19 relief packages.
Add your voice!
Social Media
#Relief4Charities
If you are so inclined, here is sample social media language – to amplify your voice:
- I urge @SenSchumer (@gillibrandny) include the policy solutions proposed by the #nonprofit community https://t.co/DlIdXFFYcm in #COVID19 relief legislation. #Relief4Charities
- The National Council of Nonprofits has tweeted a postcard that you can use to spread the word. Feel free to tweet Senators Schumer & Gillibrand, using this hashtag: #Relief4Charities