Black History Month is deeply important to me. Founded by Carter G. Woodson, it’s both a celebration and a time for reflection on the struggles, accomplishments, and lasting contributions of African Americans to our nation.
For me, Black History Month is about learning. It’s about carving out space to reflect on the past so we can reflect forward. This principle is known in Akan culture as “Sankofa.” There are many moments when the future feels uncertain, but we can pull from our collective stories to make meaning and ground ourselves in today’s reality.
Throughout history, African Americans have suffered setbacks and defeats, but we’ve overcome them. The next generation moves forward, grounded in the stories of those who came before us — both the icons of the Civil Rights Movement and the countless individuals whose names are often unknown. Their legacy reminds us that resilience and hope keep us moving forward.
That same spirit of resilience and hope is what the charitable sector must embrace today.
Nonprofits and philanthropy are facing growing uncertainty. Executive orders, policy shifts, and new political realities are creating challenges for our sector. As a sector, we need to organize and make our case to policymakers — ensuring we have a seat at the table to create a shared agenda. Nonprofits and philanthropies can’t just react to policy changes; we must be partners in shaping them.
At Independent Sector, we’re advocating for solutions that will move the sector forward. And we’re seeing both broad consensus and meaningful progress.
Our new polling shows overwhelming public support for strengthening charitable giving. 88% of voters support permanently restoring the universal charitable deduction for all taxpayers. Support for expanding the deduction up to $5,000 has reached a four-year high of 83%, including at least 82% of both Trump and Harris voters. These numbers send a clear message: Americans believe in the power of nonprofits and want to see them thrive.
This is especially important when we look at who gives. Black Americans donated a higher percentage of their income (3-4%) than any other racial or ethnic group, despite having the lowest average income from 2000 to 2018. These contributions strengthen nonprofits and communities, and our policies should support — not discourage — this generosity.
Dr. Akilah Watkins
Our advocacy is both giving me hope and making an impact. Thanks in part to our efforts, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) recently reintroduced the bipartisan Charitable Act in the Senate, with a companion bill reintroduced in the House. This legislation would restore and expand the charitable deduction, a key part of our legislative agenda. Passing the Charitable Act would help generate billions of dollars in new donations each year to support communities across the country. It would also be a powerful first step in reversing the long-term decline in the number of Americans who give to charity.
Polling also shows that Americans want policymakers to support nonprofits in an uncertain moment. As Congress rewrites the tax code, more than 6 in 10 voters oppose levying additional taxes on nonprofits to help pay for other legislation — a majority opinion across party lines. More than 7 in 10 voters support extending federal business tax credits to nonprofit employers, from starting a retirement plan to providing paid family leave or child care.
That’s why we’re asking Congress to protect the nonprofit sector by rejecting new taxes on charities, ensuring tax incentives for charitable giving are available to all Americans, and recognizing nonprofits as essential partners in shaping policies that impact our communities.
Our sector is built on resilience, and we are strongest when we work together.
Right now, more than 370 sector leaders from across the country are in Washington, DC, for Foundations on the Hill. They’re sharing their stories with legislators and advocating for the policies nonprofits need to serve American communities. Foundations on the Hill is hosted and presented by United Philanthropy Forum and the Council on Foundations, in partnership with Independent Sector.
Nonprofit advocacy has declined significantly over the past two decades. But advocacy is key to ensuring nonprofits have a voice in shaping the policies that affect us all. And we know voters trust nonprofits to engage in policy work to serve their communities in a nonpartisan way.
Black History Month is filled with stories of ordinary people stepping up in extraordinary moments. Today, the charitable sector is being called to do the same. This is a time to engage, to advocate, and to push forward with the same clarity of purpose. Let’s not sit back and wait — let’s lead.
Dr. Akilah Watkins is president and CEO of Independent Sector.
