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Advocacy Blog
Thursday, May 31, 2007
"Charities Must Challenge Politicians"
Robert Egger, president of D.C. Central Kitchen and a leader of the Nonprofit Congress, has written this must read article from the Chronicle of Philanthropy ($$). Egger demands that the nonprofit sector no longer responds passively to a lawmaking process that has no charitable influence. Nonprofits have a responsibility to be vocal during any election.
The stakes for America are too high for nonprofit leaders to allow themselves to be bullied into silence by the perceived or often overt threat that any talk about politics will cause a charity to lose its tax-exempt status. It is time for charities not just to get involved in this historic race, but also to urge candidates for the White House to make it a priority, once elected, to rethink how nonprofit groups are regarded and regulated.
Nonprofits hold a vital role in every community in America, one that is increasingly strengthening the socioeconomic foundations of society. Egger articulates the dire need for nonprofits to make sure the candidates address charities, and to view nonprofit groups "as partners looking for a leader with the vision to recognize the role such organizations play and the resources they bring to the table."
Posted by Amanda Adams
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