[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 874 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 874

     Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the 
   Congressional Philanthropy Caucus was established in July 2007 to 
provide a platform that can be used to communicate and highlight issues 
 that face the philanthropic sector and allows Members of Congress to 
   discuss common legislative objectives that affect the foundation 
                               community.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 13, 2007

 Mrs. Jones of Ohio (for herself, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Holt, Ms. Clarke, Mr. 
English of Pennsylvania, Mr. Filner, Mrs. Davis of California, and Mrs. 
Tauscher) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                   Committee on House Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
     Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the 
   Congressional Philanthropy Caucus was established in July 2007 to 
provide a platform that can be used to communicate and highlight issues 
 that face the philanthropic sector and allows Members of Congress to 
   discuss common legislative objectives that affect the foundation 
                               community.

Whereas philanthropy is a uniquely American phenomenon and one that is spreading 
        rapidly around the world;
Whereas Americans gave a record $295,000,000,000 dollars to charities in 2006, 
        according to Giving USA 2007;
Whereas the Nation's more than 71,000 foundations, which collectively hold 
        approximately $550,000,000,000 in assets, contributed over 
        $40,000,000,000 in 2006 to support communities in America and around the 
        world;
Whereas foundations are making important contributions to education, health 
        care, the arts, economic and rural development, and various other issues 
        across the country;
Whereas globally, grantmakers are working to fight the spread of global disease, 
        combat poverty, and curb environmental decline;
Whereas foundations value and embrace diversity in their leadership and in the 
        communities they serve;
Whereas individuals, communities, and corporations can choose to establish the 
        most effective type of foundation or giving vehicle that will help them 
        achieve their charitable goals;
Whereas private, independent foundations are usually endowed by one source, such 
        as an individual's bequest or through the conversion of a nonprofit to a 
        for-profit organization;
Whereas community foundations seek to create a permanent resource for the 
        community, most often through the creation of endowed funds from a wide 
        range of donors, that include local citizens, corporations, government, 
        other foundations, and nonprofits;
Whereas the first community foundation was established in Cleveland, Ohio, by 
        Frederick H. Goff in 1914;
Whereas family foundations are where the original donor or the donor's family 
        plays a significant role in governing the foundation;
Whereas corporate grantmakers can either be private foundations established by 
        for-profit corporations, but legally separate from the parent 
        corporation or corporate giving programs, which are programs within a 
        corporation that make charitable contributions from the corporation's 
        pretax income;
Whereas private, operating foundations use most of their income to support their 
        own charitable services or programs, rather than make grants to outside 
        organizations;
Whereas public foundations are public charities that operate significant 
        grantmaking programs in addition to their other charitable activities;
Whereas donor-advised funds, first established in 1931 by a community foundation 
        in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, are an integral part of American 
        philanthropy with currently over 100,000 accounts holding $17,500,000 in 
        assets;
Whereas while philanthropic institutions can never replace government, there are 
        times when foundations can collaborate with government to create 
        innovative solutions to solve pressing problems; and
Whereas Congress and the philanthropic sector must find a way to work together 
        to produce healthier communities, more educated children, higher rates 
        of employability and employment, decent housing, and compassion for 
        those who cannot compete: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the United States House of 
Representatives that--
            (1) Congress and the philanthropic sector should partner to 
        create a legislative and regulatory environment that enhances 
        the growth of philanthropy;
            (2) the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus will help 
        lawmakers and congressional staff learn more about foundations 
        and the role these organizations play in our communities and 
        around the globe;
            (3) the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus will highlight 
        issues of mutual interest to both Congress and the 
        philanthropic sector; and
            (4) lawmakers are encouraged to join the Congressional 
        Philanthropy Caucus.
                                 <all>