The Honorable Christopher H. Smith
U.S. House of Representatives
2372 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Henry Cuellar
U.S. House of Representatives
2209 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
July 2018
Dear Congressmen Smith and Cuellar:
Leadership 18 thanks you for your commitment to encourage and empower Americans to support their communities through charitable giving. We support your efforts to preserve and expand charitable giving, and applaud introduction of The Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act, H.R. 5771.
Not only is a universal charitable deduction a more fair and inclusive approach than current law, research has consistently shown that people give more when the tax code supports giving. Furthermore, a recent poll by Independent Sector reveals that 35 percent of voters who filed itemized returns last year say they will stop giving or give less in 2018 and 72 percent predict that people in their community will give less to charity this year.
Leadership 18 is an alliance of CEOs responsible for leading some of the country’s largest and most well-respected charities, non-profits and faith-based organizations. As a group, member organizations serve over 87 million people annually, with 5.6 million staff and volunteers, and represent $44 billion in total revenue. We are a community of leaders who share a profound commitment to ensuring all people have the opportunity to contribute to a vibrant America, and with opportunity and effort, can live their lives to their fullest potential.
Leadership 18 offers our support and is willing to work with you and other members of Congress to enact a universal charitable deduction that maximizes charitable giving. America is stronger when everyone has the opportunity to give, to get involved, and to strengthen their communities.
Sincerely,
Signers:
Susan Dreyfus*
President & CEO
Alliance for Strong Families and Communities
Gary Reedy
Chief Executive Officer
American Cancer Society
Nancy Brown
Chief Executive Officer
American Heart Association
Gail McGovern*
President & CEO
American Red Cross
Michael Surbaugh
Chief Scout Executive
Boy Scouts of America
Jim Clark
President & CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Sister Donna Markham
President & CEO
Catholic Charities USA
Michael Brown
CEO & Co-Founder
City Year
Sylvia Acevedo
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of the USA
Judy Vredenburgh*
President & CEO
Girls Inc.
Jim Gibbons*
President & CEO
Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
Jonathan Reckford
Chief Executive Officer
Habitat for Humanity International
Jerry Silverman
President & CEO
The Jewish Federations of North America
Paul Gionfriddo
President & CEO
Mental Health America
James Firman*
President & CEO
National Council on Aging
Commissioner David Hudson
National Commander
The Salvation Army
Brian Gallagher*
President & CEO
United Way Worldwide
Mike King
President
Volunteers of America
Kevin Washington
President & CEO
YMCA of the USA
Alejandra Castillo
Chief Executive Officer
YWCA USA
*Executive Committee Member