Nonprofit Leaders Raise Their Voices

During the past two months, Arizona’s nonprofit leaders raised their voices. Don’t misunderstand me: they were civil, they were respectful, and they were doing nothing more than speaking for their communities. But also make no mistake: they spoke with one voice very loudly.

The subject was individual donations to nonprofits and the proposals circulating in Washington D.C. that would reduce the incentive for individuals to make those donations. More than 80% of all donations to nonprofits are given by individuals. We know that those individuals, while motivated by a passion for the causes we pursue, still consider the tax benefits of making contributions to charitable nonprofits. If Congress were to limit or eliminate those benefits, we can be certain that nonprofits will raise less money.

Who would be hurt most if Congress shatters the incentive to make donations? The people and communities served by nonprofits. That includes these people:

• The hard-working Americans who visited nonprofit housing agencies in the past three years to cope with foreclosure on their homes.
• The families who found themselves without a home and knocking on the door of a homeless shelter for the first time in their lives.
• The children in after-school and summer school programs who need the boost from these nonprofits which support the educational goals of schools after the final school bell rings.
• The individuals coping with behavioral health issues who need a counselor when life throws them a curve ball.

These Americans comprise just some of the faces of our nonprofits. It is not all about the “brand” of our organization. It is about the people we serve.

And if we are true leaders, we stand up for those we serve. We stand up for our communities.

That is exactly what 258 nonprofits in Arizona did this fall. At the Alliance, we applaud the vigor with which nonprofits defended their need for resources to meet the large and growing issues facing our communities. When these 258 nonprofits added their names to the national letter urging Congress to protect the charitable giving incentive, they were acting as leaders.

These are leaders who raised their voices. And collectively, they spoke with one voice. They spoke up for the communities they serve. And that is why I say that they raised their voices. They lifted up their voices because of their passion for the people who need our nonprofits to remain strong.

The failure of the super-committee in Congress to finalize a deficit reduction plan last week gave us a moment to pause and reflect on this leadership. And this essay creates just that moment to celebrate the many nonprofits which stood up and participated in our campaign.

But the moment is short. We have not heard the end of this issue in Congress. And we may face similar challenges to the charitable giving incentive for individuals on their state income taxes in Arizona. (Stay tuned for that in January.) Furthermore, other threats loom in state legislatures and city halls – proposals in other states to eliminate tax exemptions for nonprofits or charge high fees that have the same effect. We must be vigilant in case these threats show up in Arizona.

So I ask you to help us celebrate the leaders in our nonprofit community. I ask you to applaud with us the way in which they spoke loudly for the people they serve. But then I ask you to clear your throats and prepare to raise your voices with us again in 2012.

These times require bold leaders who stand up for what they believe.