For more information: Read Diana Aviv's: Oral Testimony (PDF) Written Testimony (PDF) Panel on the Nonprofit Sector More on the IRA Charitable Rollover House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee

(Washington, D.C., July 24, 2007) -- Diana Aviv, president and CEO of Independent Sector, today testified before the Oversight Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee in a hearing on “Tax-Exempt Charitable Organizations.” Representative John Lewis (D-GA), chairman of the Subcommittee, announced the hearing in June to begin a formal review of the state of the nonprofit sector and to discuss ongoing efforts to ensure public accountability and good governance. In her testimony, Ms. Aviv called for the creation of a Small Nonprofit Administration, similar to the Small Business Administration, to help strengthen the operations of the charitable community.

Ms. Aviv provided an overview of the charitable community and discussed the essential partnership between government and the charitable community in improving lives. She highlighted the comprehensive and thoughtful efforts by the sector and the government to ensure the highest levels of accountability and transparency. She mentioned in particular the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, which has brought together thousands of people committed to ensuring that charities and foundations maintain the highest possible standards of ethical conduct and accountability.

Ms. Aviv also addressed the financial challenges facing the nonprofit community, including the limited growth in charitable giving and funding cuts to organizations that rely on government grants and contracts. To provide some relief to organizations, she asked Congress to expand and extend the current IRA Charitable Rollover, which allows older Americans to make charitable contributions from their IRA funds without suffering adverse tax consequences.

Ms. Aviv concluded by calling upon Congress to create a Small Nonprofit Administration to ensure that the people of our nation continue to benefit from the vital services that charitable organizations provide.

Ms. Aviv explained that such an agency would work to nurture and support the training of nonprofit leaders in the areas of administration, governance, fundraising, and planning.

Ms. Aviv testified alongside witnesses representing the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and the Council on Foundations.

Read Ms. Aviv's:

• Oral Testimony (PDF)
• Written Testimony (PDF)

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Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of approximately 600 charities, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups in every state across the nation. Its mission is to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the nonprofit community.