ACTION ALERT: Take Immediate Action to Protect Philanthropy and Colorado Communities

Dear Philanthropy Colorado Members,

We need your action today. SEE SPECIAL BRIEFINGS AND RESOURCES BELOW

What’s at Stake:

• A proposed excise tax on private foundation investment income would drastically reduce charitable dollars available for local grantmaking and community programs. The proposed excise tax sets a dangerous precedent — putting all of Colorado’s philanthropic institutions at risk.
• Exempting 1% of taxable business income from the corporate charitable deduction would weaken business support for education, workforce, and family-focused initiatives.
• Removing due process protections for nonprofits threatens their tax-exempt status and opens the door to increased government overreach.

These changes would severely limit philanthropic giving, pulling critical resources away from families and communities — not to improve services, but to help pay for federal tax cuts.

This can’t wait until next week, or even tomorrow. The House of Representatives will vote quickly on the tax package, offering a short window of opportunity to influence the House vote over the next few days. This is about fighting against these new provisions, as well as for the overall independence of our philanthropic sector.

OUR ASK:
1) Please call your House representatives today. Find and Contact Your Legislator from every Colorado congressional district in which you provide funding. Contact both their Colorado and Washington D.C. offices, identifying the amount or examples of your funding in that area and communicating the devastating impact this bill would have if these provisions are not removed.

2) Follow up with an email to your House representatives today. Reinforce your message by customizing and sending one of Philanthropy Colorado’s letter templates.

Template 1: Private Foundation legislator letter
Template 2: Non-Private Foundation Ally legislator letter

3) Repeat daily until the house vote.
Together with our national partners, Philanthropy Colorado is preparing for the next stage of defense as the bill then proceeds to the Senate for consideration.

4) Stay updated by following Philanthropy Colorado communications and check the Take Action Blog for coming briefings and emergency meetings.

Talking points/Express Why Philanthropy Matters:

• Delivers real help to families and communities: Philanthropy supports early childhood programs, expands educational opportunities, and invests in practical initiatives that teach life skills and economic self-reliance. These efforts help families facing tough choices — from childcare and schooling to job readiness — by providing local, flexible support that government programs often can’t reach.
• Strengthens private-sector responsibility: Charitable giving by businesses and foundations reflects the best of American civic life — empowering local leaders, faith communities, and nonprofits to meet needs where government can’t or shouldn’t.
• Relies on fairness and stability: A strong charitable sector depends on clear tax rules and due process — not shifting policies that discourage giving or expose nonprofits to unchecked government scrutiny.

We must speak up now to protect the integrity of charitable giving and the critical role that philanthropy plays in a just and vibrant society.

Note that national philanthropic organizations, such as the Council on Foundations, have determined that when advocating on these tax bill provisions, private foundations qualify for the self-defense exception under federal lobbying rules—please consult your internal policies before taking action.

To learn more and see how Philanthropy Colorado and our National partners are taking action, see briefings and resources below.

In solidarity,
Philanthropy Colorado

 

BRIEFINGS AND RESOURCES

News:
Higher Taxes on Foundations Rob Charity to Fund Government Bureaucracy, Philanthropy Roundtable, 5.12.20206

One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Impact on Philanthropy, Council on Foundations, 5.13.2025

Stay updated:

Council on Foundations - Briefing on the Tax Bill: Post Ways & Means Mark-up 

TODAY Thurs, May 15 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Mtn | Virtual

Register: https://cof.org/event/briefing-tax-bill-post-ways-means-mark?utm_campaign=9114387-Protecting%20Philanthropy%20%7C%20Meet%20The%20Moment&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--HXU_Lbvawow2hx8XhKhMlVOemV5EU8hnO0S-j-1vE_eLI4HWJRn1IVWSSJzfjwrgNIFs39OvSkuYT935rItLUz_JH4A&_hsmi=361145043&utm_content=361145043&utm_source=hs_email