November 8, 2011 RED ALERT - National : Contact National Legislators about Changes to Charitable Deductions The AFP-CO Public Policy Committee is forwarding to you the following information circulated from AFP's National Office.   We encourage you to consider this issue and act upon it as you determine appropriate for the your organization and constituents. The red-alert color status was determined due to the timeliness of action needed from those who decide to act. Slashing the Charitable Deduction is Now ON the Table! Take Action - Write to Your Member of Congress (Nov. 9, 2011) Take action today to urge your Members of Congress to oppose any tax reforms that would harm charitable giving! The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction is drafting tax code changes behind closed doors, and it is slated to introduce recommendations at the end of the month. It has just been reported that Republicans are open to eliminating certain tax deductions for the wealthy in exchange for a permanent reduction of the marginal tax rates set under President George W. Bush. Now is the time for you to tell Congress to preserve the existing charitable deduction! AFP opposes any proposed change to the itemized deduction (such as a cap or a floor) that would reduce charitable giving. The loss of these charitable dollars will have a direct impact on the nation's poorest and most disadvantaged. Any changes to the deduction that will diminish charitable giving will eliminate the funds that charities need to fuel their philanthropic missions such as social services, healthcare, education, housing and other essential programs and services that assist those in need. We urgently need your help! Make Your Voice Heard on Capitol Hill! AFP urges its members to educate their Members of Congress about preserving the current charitable deduction. As a constituent, you represent a key voice that will be heard. Engaging Networks has generously allowed AFP to use their online platform where you can contact your Members of Congress with the mere touch of a button. Please click this link to send an electronic letter to your House member and two Senators of your state (or copy and paste this link into your browser: http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1686&ea.campaign.id=12160). If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Jason Lee, AFP's General Counsel, at jlee@afpnet.org.