8 Comments
тна Return to thread

This is so appropriate on Giving Tuesday. I first learned of this, while I worked for a family foundation, from seeing how local philanthropists used a donor-advised fund to support the issues they care about.

Expand full comment

What is wrong with local philanthropists supporting issues they care about, whether via the mechanism of a family foundation or individual giving?

The only correction in the system that is needed is the percentage of foundation assets which should be distributed annually.

Expand full comment

A private school that charges $50,000 a year in tuition and is mostly available to wealthy people is a charity in this system. A church in a neighborhood with million-dollar homes that has primarily wealthy parishioners is a charity. They are giving to themselves and shortchanging the public.

Expand full comment

The tax code does not distinguish whether someone gets a tax deduction by the zip code of the charity. Giving to ALL churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples gets the same treatment.

And because a religious organization is located in a particular zip code doesn't say anything about the work it is doing and who is benefitting.

Expand full comment

A religious organization already gets enough breaks by being exempt from paying taxes, especially those who are pushing a political agenda.

Expand full comment

Charitable giving is a tax write-off which is only available to some.

Expand full comment

All tax deductions are only available to some.

Why single out giving money away to support hospitals, schools, and other charities as a "bad" deduction? Would you prefer that donors not make gifts and that charitable organizations founder?

Expand full comment

I would prefer that our government support hospitals, schools, and our needs as an Americans. If Greece can do single-payer, why can't the US? The underlying problem may be capitalism.

Expand full comment