2024 Advocacy Packet

Community Foundation Resources

Find resources for private foundations instead.

This packet contains what you need to set up, prep for, and attend a meeting with your Member of Congress and/or their staff. We’ve included resources about key legislation, data about the sector, and template letters for you to edit and share. You can download each file individually, or download the whole packet (ZIP).

• How to Use This Packet
  • Read a welcome letter from Council Vice President of Government Affairs and Legal Resources Jenn Holcomb. Plus, find guidance for using this packet to set up meetings with your Members of Congress and their staff.
• Requesting a Meeting with Your Member of Congress
  • Find everything you need to set up a meeting, from templates to guidance on follow-up.
• Information About Your State/Congressional District
  • Use this spreadsheet to identify your Members of Congress’ scheduler and see information about foundation giving in your state and district.
• Meeting with Your Member: Structure and Tips
  • This document contains a draft agenda for your meeting, as well as example stories you can use to tell your own story to policymakers.
• Value of Perpetuity One-Pager
  • This one-pager details the importance of philanthropic perpetuity.
• Donor Advised Fund Draft Regulations / Council comments one-pager
  • This one-pager summarizes Treasury and the IRS’s draft regulations on donor advised funds, as well as the Council’s public comments—with over 140 foundation signatories.
• Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act One-Pager
  • This is a summary of S.1757/H.R.3582, which would allow community foundations to issue tax-deductible grants to individuals to help pay off their student loans.
• Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act Sign-on Letter
  • This sign-on letter voices our support for this bill. If you’d like to be added as a signer, fill out this form and email govt@cof.org to receive an updated PDF.
• Charitable Act One-Pager
  • This is a summary of S.566/H.R.3435, which would allow individuals who do not itemize their taxes to receive a deduction for their charitable giving.
• Summary of 2024 Giving USA Data
  • This summary features general information about charitable giving in 2023.
• How did the TCJA affect incentives for charitable giving – Tax Policy Center
  • This article details the impact of the 2017 tax bill on the charitable sector.
• Additional Resources
  • This page contains additional resources you may find helpful for your meetings.

Private Foundation Resources

Find resources for community foundations instead.

This packet contains what you need to set up, prep for, and attend a meeting with your Member of Congress and/or their staff. We’ve included resources about key legislation, data about the sector, and template letters for you to edit and share. You can download each file individually, or download the whole packet (ZIP).

• How to Use This Packet
  • Read a welcome letter from Council Vice President of Government Affairs and Legal Resources Jenn Holcomb. Plus, find guidance for using this packet to set up meetings with your Members of Congress and their staff.
• Requesting a Meeting with Your Member of Congress
  • Find everything you need to set up a meeting, from templates to guidance on follow-up.
• Information About Your State/Congressional District
  • Use this spreadsheet to identify your Members of Congress’ scheduler and see information about foundation giving in your state and district.
• Meeting with Your Member: Structure and Tips
  • This document contains a draft agenda for your meeting, as well as example stories you can use to tell your own story to policymakers.
• Value of Perpetuity One-Pager
  • This one-pager details the importance of philanthropic perpetuity.
• Donor Advised Fund Draft Regulations / Council comments one-pager
  • This one-pager summarizes Treasury and the IRS’s draft regulations on donor advised funds, as well as the Council’s public comments—with over 140 foundation signatories.
• Summary of 2024 Giving USA Data
  • This summary features general information about charitable giving in 2023.
• How did the TCJA affect incentives for charitable giving – Tax Policy Center
  • This article details the impact of the 2017 tax bill on the charitable sector.
• Additional Resources
  • This page contains additional resources you may find helpful for your meetings.