Now they are asking foundations to raise their voice. According to NCRP, the input of foundation trustees, executives, and program officers is hugely important at this critical juncture in order to save the estate tax. Last year, when the repeal passed both houses but was vetoed by the president, Capitol Hill staff said that they did not hear much from organized philanthropy regarding the impacts of the proposed estate tax repeal on charity. Foundation leaders need to speak out now. Community groups and other nonprofits can help by encouraging charitable foundation staff, trustees, board members, and other foundation leaders to sign on in favor of preserving the estate tax.
Charitable foundations have a profound stake in maintaining the estate tax.
It is not simply a matter of preserving the billions of dollars of charitable bequests that flow to charities as a result of the estate tax. NCRP has been a member of NNC since 2000. In April, the Millennial Housing Commission mailed a solicitation letter to approximately 100 organizations, including NNC, seeking input on its priority and cross-cutting issues. The letter was sent primarily to large, national organizations with members located in cities across the nation. Each organization was asked to submit its response, on behalf of its members, by June 29, 2001.