by Dock Houk
Why in the world would Congress stop the progress of charitable involvement by the American People?
By preventing Donor Advised Funds from operating charitable programs, Congress has effectively hampered market forces at work -- to create jobs in the charitable sector and help those in need. Did you know these programs were operating in when the law was passed?
The 14 pages of the 400-page Pension Reform Act (that prohibits payment from a Donor-Advised Fund for reimbursement of expenses and reasonable compensation related to the charitable purpose) is short-sighted, dangerous and hurtful to America!
Here are some thoughts from the bipartisan work of President William J. Clinton and President George H. W. Bush, as expressed in Bill’s new book, “GIVING – HOW EACH OF US CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.”
- “Everyone, regardless of income, available time, age and skills can do something useful for others, and, in the process, strengthen the fabric of our shared humanity.”
- Worldwide philanthropy is a golden thread that can bind us together. ALL RELIGIONS AND ALL GREAT PHILOSOPHERS recommend GIVING!
- We can make market forces work better for the poor if we can develop a more creative capitalism.
- We need to stretch the reach of market forces so that more people can make a living serving people who are suffering from the worst inequities.
At some point in the near future, the Charitable Sector will create a significant number of jobs that Americans need. Imagine the joy of waking up in the morning and planning the day to MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, little by little.
It is clear that our charitable programs help create those jobs and facilitate competent management and oversight in a way that private foundations and individual public charities cannot.
The charitable programs under the National Heritage Family (NHF) reflect the market forces the Clinton/Bush ideas are describing:
- Charitable Entrepreneurship embraces the best of capitalism, and uses it to give jobs and livelihood to those who help others.
- There is no better way for normal citizens to begin helping others than combining the forces of the National Heritage Family (administration) and the charitable entrepreneur (program action).
- Everybody knows that setting up an expensive, cumbersome and dangerous private charitable foundation is NOT a solution except perhaps for the very wealthy – like Bill Gates. Even Warren Buffet does not want to face the administrative challenge, and has asked Bill Gates to help.
Read my previous blog from October 18, 2007 that illustrates how the Pension Reform Act has crippled Americans’ ability to assist the victims of future Hurricane Katrina-like disasters through the Donor Advised Fund .
Please also refer to the 2007 Annual Report of the National Heritage Family describing our struggle to deal with the Pension Reform Act. NHF programs give people the means to easily join together to advance the public good. The services of the NHFamily help people focus on the COMMUNITY NEEDS, while leaving the administrative tasks to experts at NHFamily.
- How does someone begin to help?
- How does an individual attempt to make a charitable impact in his or her community?
We have the answer. You will see it in the NHFamily Annual Report for 2007. And if you want to talk with me call 561-301-3891; or send me an email at dock@nhf.org. I will respond to you promptly.
Dr. J. T. Dock Houk, JD, PhD, CPhD
Founder and CEO
P.S. We have charitable programs hard at work in all Congressional Districts around the country.
