IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 874 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congressional 

Philanthropy Caucus was established in July 2007 to provide a platform 

that can be used to communicate and highlight issues that face the 

philanthropic sector and allows Members of Congress to discuss common 

legislative objectives that affect the foundation community. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 13, 2007 

Mrs. JONES of Ohio (for herself, Mr. HAYES, Mr. HOLT, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. 

ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. FILNER, Mrs. DAVIS of California, and 

Mrs. TAUSCHER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on House Administration 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus was established 

in July 2007 to provide a platform that can be used 

to communicate and highlight issues that face the philanthropic sector and allows Members of Congress to discuss 

common legislative objectives that affect the foundation 

community. 

Whereas philanthropy is a uniquely American phenomenon 

and one that is spreading rapidly around the world; 

Whereas Americans gave a record $295,000,000,000 dollars 

to charities in 2006, according to Giving USA 2007; 


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Whereas the Nation’s more than 71,000 foundations, which 

collectively hold approximately $550,000,000,000 in assets, contributed over $40,000,000,000 in 2006 to support communities in America and around the world; 

Whereas foundations are making important contributions to 

education, health care, the arts, economic and rural development, and various other issues across the country; 

Whereas globally, grantmakers are working to fight the 

spread of global disease, combat poverty, and curb environmental decline; 

Whereas foundations value and embrace diversity in their 

leadership and in the communities they serve; 

Whereas individuals, communities, and corporations can 

choose to establish the most effective type of foundation 

or giving vehicle that will help them achieve their charitable goals; 

Whereas private, independent foundations are usually endowed by one source, such as an individual’s bequest or 

through the conversion of a nonprofit to a for-profit organization; 

Whereas community foundations seek to create a permanent 

resource for the community, most often through the creation of endowed funds from a wide range of donors, that 

include local citizens, corporations, government, other 

foundations, and nonprofits; 

Whereas the first community foundation was established in 

Cleveland, Ohio, by Frederick H. Goff in 1914; 

Whereas family foundations are where the original donor or 

the donor’s family plays a significant role in governing 

the foundation; 


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Whereas corporate grantmakers can either be private foundations established by for-profit corporations, but legally 

separate from the parent corporation or corporate giving 

programs, which are programs within a corporation that 

make charitable contributions from the corporation’s 

pretax income; 

Whereas private, operating foundations use most of their income to support their own charitable services or programs, rather than make grants to outside organizations; 

Whereas public foundations are public charities that operate 

significant grantmaking programs in addition to their 

other charitable activities; 

Whereas donor-advised funds, first established in 1931 by a 

community foundation in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, are an integral part of American philanthropy with 

currently over 100,000 accounts holding $17,500,000 in 

assets; 

Whereas while philanthropic institutions can never replace 

government, there are times when foundations can collaborate with government to create innovative solutions to 

solve pressing problems; and 

Whereas Congress and the philanthropic sector must find a 

way to work together to produce healthier communities, 

more educated children, higher rates of employability and 

employment, decent housing, and compassion for those 

who cannot compete: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the United States 

2 House of Representatives that— 

3 (1) Congress and the philanthropic sector 

4 should partner to create a legislative and regulatory 


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1 environment that enhances the growth of philan2 thropy; 

3 (2) the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus will 

4 help lawmakers and congressional staff learn more 

5 about foundations and the role these organizations 

6 play in our communities and around the globe; 

7 (3) the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus will 

8 highlight issues of mutual interest to both Congress 

9 and the philanthropic sector; and 

10 (4) lawmakers are encouraged to join the Con11 gressional Philanthropy Caucus. 

Æ 


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