Support the Give Act to Support Volunteering

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From Ruth Wahtera:

The vitality of our community rests in large part on our volunteers. Many community volunteers are retirees on fixed incomes. They really feel the impact of rising prices. The Give Act, if passed, will ease the financial burden on all volunteers.

CCSNYS, an association of nonprofits, forwarded this request.

Why the GIVE Act Matters: This is an issue affecting REAL NONPROFITS including CCSNYS Members. Read more (including 2 of our members' stories) here.

What's At Stake:
The GIVE Act of 2008, introduced August 6, by U.S. Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY)John Ensign (R-NV), addresses the adverse impacts on volunteers of high gas prices and discriminatory tax policy towards nonprofits by eliminating the disincentives that prevent charitable volunteers from doing what they really want to do, which is to help the needy in their communities. We are pleased to report that Senator Schumer is working dilligently to make sure this bill is passed.

The GIVE Act, as introduced, would and

1. raise the charitable mileage deduction from 14 cents to almost 41 cents;
2. eliminate the need for nonprofits to seek new legislation every year by setting the charitable volunteer rate at 70% of the standard business mileage rate as adjusted by the IRS; and
3. exclude from any income tax consequence actual mileage reimbursements made to volunteers.

These features not only address economic pain being felt in America's communities, but also recognize the vital role the nonprofit sector plays in coordinating volunteer efforts to meet human needs.

It's Easy to Support the GIVE Act: Click here to take action