In a September 13 release, the day of a Senate Finance Committee panel hearing on charitable giving, the Alliance for Charitable Reform supported the CARE Act, S. 6, providing increased incentives for charitable donations, but cautioned against charitable reforms that in reality are "merely additional bureaucratic regulations."

Full Text:

ACR Praises America's Charitable
Response to Hurricane Katrina
Cautions against Unnecessary New Government Regulations

(Washington D.C.) -- The Alliance for Charitable Reform (ACR) today praised Sen. Rick Santorum (R- PA) for his efforts to support America's charities and foundations as they respond to Hurricane Katrina, and encouraged Congress not to further burden legitimate charities with increased government regulation. Today, a Senate Finance Subcommittee will hold a hearing to discuss and underscore the important work the charitable community is doing in the aftermath of the Katrina disaster and that supporting and encouraging their work is critical, no time more so than now.

"We are completely supportive of Sen. Santorum's CARE Act and we encourage Congress to act quickly to give Americans increased incentives to donate. Whether by allowing individuals to make tax-free charitable contributions from their IRA's, or by creating innovative new incentives -- the CARE Act will yield even more philanthropy at a time when our fellow citizens need help the most," said Dan Peters, ACR Co-Chair and Chairman of The Philanthropy Roundtable. "We strongly oppose any effort to add on the so-called charitable reforms that are merely additional bureaucratic regulations."

"Charitable organizations and the American people who donate to them are a critical resource for Americans in need," said Peters. "Over the last two weeks, it has been clear that the federal, state and local governments cannot always provide for the needs of our citizens. Now is the time for Congress to support the legitimate charities that are playing a pivotal role in the disaster relief effort and look for ways to help them move more quickly and more efficiently -- not look for ways to prevent them from doing their work."

According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, charitable giving for Hurricane Katrina now exceeds $670 million. "The willingness of Americans to open their hearts as well as their wallets to help their fellow citizens in distress is a defining characteristic of America's philanthropic nature. We are the most giving and philanthropic people in the world and we should celebrate and support that," said Peters.

While the larger public charities and foundations always play a key role in disaster relief, smaller charities and family foundations -- because they typically are more nimble and less bureaucratic -- are playing a significant role in easing the suffering of those most severely affected.

The Alliance of Charitable Reform is a project of The Philanthropy Roundtable, a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization. The Alliance represents charitable organizations, including private foundation, family foundations, and public charities.