    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [October 22, 1999]
    [Pages 1860-1861]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on an Interagency Task Force on Nonprofits and Government
    October 22, 1999

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Supporting the Role of Nonprofit Organizations: Interagency
    Task Force on Nonprofits and Government

        The United States is the most generous Nation on Earth. In 1998, an
    estimated $175 billion was given by American individuals, communities,
    foundations, corporations, and other private philanthropies to a wide
    variety of causes and organizations. Individuals accounted for 85
    percent of all contributions in 1998 and their giving has increased by
    almost one-third since 1995. And over the next 20 years, approximately
    $12 trillion in wealth is expected to be transferred from one generation
    to the next--more than $1 trillion of which will flow to nonprofit
    organizations through charitable giving.
        In many cases it is nonprofit organizations that convert
    philanthropy into results--helping people in need, providing health care
    and educating our Nation's youth. The nonprofit sector is an integral
    component of our national life, encompassing more than one and a half
    million organizations with operating expenditures in excess of $600
    billion. But more telling than the dollar figures is the new spirit of
    service and civic activism that nonprofits of every kind are now
    exhibiting. We are today in the midst of a nonprofit boom, a time when
    the activities of this sector are becoming ever more creative and
    entrepreneurial.
        Nonprofits are uniquely able to identify problems, mobilize fresh
    thinking and energy, care for those in need on a human scale, and
    promote social change at the community level. As this sector grows in
    size and importance, there is an ever greater opportunity to forge
    partnerships that include Government, nonprofit groups, businesses, and
    citizens to address pressing public problems. There are already many
    ways that nonprofits work closely with the Federal Government. For
    example, Federal grant programs from the National Science Foundation and
    the National Institutes of Health assist nonprofit research institutions
    that search for cures to cancer. And the Corporation for National
    Service works with nonprofits throughout the Nation to provide after-
    school and tutoring programs. Our challenge in this time of burgeoning
    social entrepreneurship is to encourage Government, nonprofits, and
    others to work together more meaningfully.
        Therefore, today I direct the Assistants to the President for
    Domestic Policy and Economic Policy and the Chief of Staff to the First
    Lady to convene an Interagency Task Force on Nonprofits and Government
    (``Task Force''). The purpose of this Task Force will be twofold: first,
    to identify current forms of collaboration between the Federal
    Government and nonprofits; and second, to evaluate ways this
    collaboration can be improved.

    Structure of the Task Force

        The Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, the Assistant to
    the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President
    and Chief of Staff to the First Lady will jointly Chair the Task Force.
    The Office of the Vice President, the Office of Management and Budget,
    and the Council of Economic Advisers will be regular participants.
        The Task Force shall be composed of the following members:
           (1)  Secretary of the Treasury
           (2)  Attorney General
           (3)  Secretary of the Interior
           (4)  Secretary of Agriculture
           (5)  Secretary of Commerce
           (6)  Secretary of Labor
           (7)  Secretary of Health and Human Services
           (8)  Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
           (9)  Secretary of Transportation

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          (10)  Secretary of Education
          (11)  Administrator of the Small Business Administration
          (12)  Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and
                Community Service
        The Chairs of the Task Force may add such other officials and
    independent agencies as they deem appropriate to further the purposes of
    this effort or to participate in specific aspects of it. The Chairs,
    after consultation with Task Force members, will appoint staff members
    to coordinate the Task Force's efforts. The Chairs may call upon the
    participating agencies for logistical support to the Task Force, as
    necessary. Members of the Task Force may delegate their responsibilities
    under this memorandum to subordinates. During its work, the Task Force
    will consult regularly with the nonprofit sector.

    Objectives of the Task Force

        The Task Force will:
            1.  Develop a public inventory of ``best practices'' in existing
                collaborations between Federal agency programs and nonprofit
                organizations. In cooperation with the nonprofit sector, the
                Task Force will work to apply these leading models to other
                government efforts. For example, cross-agency initiatives
                that reflect the community-wide focus on many nonprofits
                could be highlighted and replicated. The Task Force will
                also examine ways that Federal agencies can better draw upon
                the experience and innovations of nonprofits in the
                development of public policy.
            2.  Evaluate data and research trends on nonprofits and
                philanthropy. Understanding the significance of the
                relationship between the nonprofit and Government sectors
                requires an understanding of the impact that the nonprofit
                sector has on the economy and on public policy. For example,
                the Council of Economic Advisers should undertake an
                analysis of existing data from the private and nonprofit
                sectors concerning the role of philanthropy in our economy,
                including an examination of the factors that affect giving
                and an investigation of trends that are likely to affect
                future giving. The Task Force will also coordinate agency
                efforts to identify the contributions made by the nonprofit
                sector and information regarding philanthropic activity.
            3.  Develop further policy responses. The Task Force will meet
                to discuss new findings and to consider new or modified
                Administration policy responses. For example, the Task Force
                will work with the nonprofit sector and others to explore
                ways to encourage philanthropy and service, efforts to help
                nonprofits develop and grow (including ``venture
                philanthropy''), opportunities for closer collaboration on
                research and in meeting local needs, and ways to reduce
                governmental barriers to innovative nonprofit enterprises.
        From time to time, the Task Force will report to me on the results
    of its efforts.

    General Provisions

        This memorandum is intended only for internal management of the
    executive branch. This memorandum is not intended, and should not be
    construed, to create any right, benefit, or trust responsibility,
    substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a party
    against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or its employees.
    This memorandum shall not be construed to create any right to judicial
    review involving the compliance or noncompliance with this memorandum by
    the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any other person.

                                                          William J. Clinton