November’s elections are quickly approaching. Many of the elected officials in your home state will be up for reelection and other candidates will be campaigning for the first time. Now is your opportunity, while lawmakers are home before the elections, to reach out to them and to all of the candidates to let them know of your organization and the good work you do.

Now is also the time to make sure your elected officials and candidates know about key legislative policies that will affect the charitable sector:

• Effective Oversight and Enhanced Enforcement of Tax Laws Will Strengthen Charities
Lawmakers recently approved, as part of pension reform legislation, provisions intended to increase the accountability and oversight of charitable organizations. Take this opportunity to thank your elected officials for their vote, and show lawmakers and candidates that the sector is united in support of appropriate, comprehensive safeguards that protect charitable organizations from those who use our sector and our tax laws for their private benefit.

At the same time, new laws won’t be effective unless the government has the resources necessary to enforce them. Tell lawmakers and candidates that charitable organizations want Congress to allocate increased resources to the Internal Revenue Service so that it is equipped to enhance activities that deter and penalize wrongdoers and educate charitable organizations about existing tax law. More

• Charities Need Americans’ Contributions to Achieve Their Missions
The recently approved pension reform legislation also includes new incentives intended to encourage Americans to give to charitable organizations. Thank your lawmakers for supporting these incentives, and tell lawmakers and candidates how important these tax incentives are, especially at a time when the resources of charities are stretched thin by growing community needs. More

• Responsible Budgeting is Necessary to Meet Our Citizens’ Needs
As Congress faces growing fiscal challenges, House and Senate lawmakers have approved federal budget resolutions and spending bills that would significantly cut funding to programs serving our society’s most vulnerable citizens. Tell lawmakers and candidates to make responsible budget decisions – to adequately invest in programs that strengthen our communities, while also considering measures that will help reduce the federal deficit, including balanced, bipartisan changes to the federal budget process. More

Encourage your board members and volunteers to get engaged as well by passing along the print version of this fact sheet! (PDF)

Last Updated: September 12, 2006