Posted on February 13, 2001

Head of Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Meets With Nonprofit Leaders

Leaders from several major nonprofit organizations met earlier this week with John DiIulio, the new director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, to air their concerns about some of President Bush's recent proposals.

At the meeting, DiIulio was urged to make passage of the president's proposal to extend the charitable deduction to taxpayers who do not itemize a top priority. Under current law, charitable contributions are deductible only if they are itemized.

"The non-itemizer charitable deduction has rightfully received a key place in President Bush's tax plan because it is the only tax proposal that rewards Americans for helping others and not just themselves," said Sara E. Melendez, president and CEO of Independent Sector, a national coalition of more than 700 nonprofit organizations, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs. The D.C.-based Independent Sector organized the meeting with DiIulio.

Other topics discussed at the meeting included the mandate and agenda of DiIulio's office; the administration's plan to expand religious congregations' access to federal funding; and the need for increased funding for human services, accountability standards, and performance measurement. DiIulio indicated that his office would spend the next few months consulting with nonprofit leaders and reviewing examples of their success.

Independent Sector has put together a resource page focused on the administration's policy proposals regarding the nonprofit sector. To learn more, visit: http://www.independentsector.org/programs/gr/NCDmain.html.