Positions

On September 10, 2009, more than 400 United Way professional and volunteer leaders from all 50 states, sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging Congress to reject a cap on itemized deductions, including the charitable deduction, as a means of financing comprehensive health reform.

As the largest non-government funder of health and human services in the United States, United Way is concerned that the adoption of even a modest decrease in charitable giving incentives, as has been proposed, will hinder service delivery and negatively impact nonprofit work across the country. Giving USA's latest estimates show a 12.7% decrease in contributions to all human services nonprofits due to current economic conditions. Any additional decrease in giving, as a result of a cap on charitable deductions, would be detrimental to the work of United Way and its partners. United Way leaders from across the country urge Congress to maintain all current charitable giving incentives. Read the text of the letter.

Want to take action? Call your Senators in support of current charitable giving incentives.