Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, hosts a program today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Philanthropy in the 21st Century: Should All Charities Be Created Equal?, hosted by Roger Colinvaux (Catholic):
Charitable organizations receive preferential treatment under federal tax law. The rules allow for a broad, purpose-based concept of charity – permitting a wide range of organizations to qualify as charitable – from arts organizations to soup kitchens to advocacy groups to hospitals to universities. The charitable tax preference is not stratified based on, for example, a charity’s specific purposes, services, or financial well-being. However, although the charitable subsidies may be facially neutral, it is less clear whether the benefits of the subsidies are distributed equally or appropriately. Are some charities in fact preferred over others? And if so, which ones? In the midst of the largest economic downturn since the Great Depression, will some charities be more adversely affected than others? And, are increased demands and expectations placed on certain charities but not others during a downturn? How does our pluralistic approach to distributing the charitable subsidy respond, or adapt, to changed economic circumstances?
Compounding the questions for charity, an economic downturn also places pressure on government to find new revenue sources. Some States are proposing new assessments on charity. The Obama Administration has proposed cutting back on the charitable contribution deduction. How should any such cuts be distributed among charities? Should they be imposed in a value-neutral way, or should policymakers consider which charities will be more adversely affected? Should all charities be created equal?
Panelists:
- Diana Aviv (Independent Sector)
- Richard Schmalbeck (Duke)
- Eugene Steuerle (Urban Institute)
- Russell Sullivan (Staff Director, Senate Finance Committee)
