Making Money Matter

Column 28:  September 11, 2002
Boulder Daily Camera

Enid Ablowitz

9-11

I wrote my September column in early August to be sure I didn’t miss my deadline, since my family was preparing for a wedding.  My eldest son was married here in Boulder the Sunday night of Labor Day weekend.  I was (and still am) engulfed in the joy, love and celebration of such a monumental event.  The column I wrote was about the start of school and the start of the fundraising season, with tips on how to pro-actively approach the deluge of calls, mail and gala events seeking donations.  Yet that is not what you are reading.  Why?  Because of 9-11.

Maybe because of 9-11, the sweetest moments in life, those things we hold most dear, are even sweeter.  Two families joined as our children spoke words of love and commitment.  We were surrounded by our extended family and friends, many who traveled long distances to celebrate with us.  From Tokyo.  From Delhi.  From London.  From Washington.  From New York. 

9-11.       Washington. New York.

One of the guests at the wedding lives not far from the Pentagon. Another was a volunteer who worked for weeks at ground zero. A third regularly did business in the twin towers.

A year ago, we didn’t know how we would endure as we watched in horror and fear the unthinkable unfold before our eyes.

A year ago we wondered how we could ever smile again.

A year ago we gave more than we thought we could to help those who were living the nightmare, searching for their loved ones, fearing the worst, knowing in their quiet moments the answer to their unspoken question.  We opened our hearts and our wallets, wanting to do something, anything, that could ease the suffering, fill the void, fix the broken.

We are charitable.  We give because we feel, and we feel because we know, deep down, that at any time, “they” could be “us.”  9-11 touched us deeply and stirred generosity we didn’t know we had.

We know that our federal government partners with us in giving through incentives embedded in the tax code.  Now our legislators have an opportunity to underscore the critical role of philanthropy in American society by passing new legislation that will enhance that partnership between the government and the private sector. Senate bill 1924, the Charity Aid, Recovery and Empowerment Act (CARE) is an important piece of legislation being considered in this session of Congress.  There is strong bi-partisan support, and Senate leadership is working on a unanimous consent agreement. 

Why is the CARE Act important?  One of its major provisions would allow donations to be made from IRA accounts or other qualified retirement plans tax free.  Without legislation, such gifts are first subject to income tax.

In addition, many people who do not itemize their tax return would be able to qualify for a charitable deduction.  These measures would allow many smaller donors to benefit from tax deductions and the leveraging inherent in the tax code, and would provide further incentive to donors to give to qualified non-profit organizations at a time when the needs have never been greater. As a result of some diversion of funds and the general economic climate, the non-profits are struggling to keep up.  Let your representatives know you support them in their efforts to support you.

As you relive the next few days through the media, or through your own personal experiences, think about those whose lives are all about giving-the firefighters and the police, the good Samaritans and the volunteers, the teens who washed cars or gave from their allowances.  Realize that the non-profit sector in this country needs you in order to survive. Then think about your own life; your joys, your celebrations, your passions. Find that generosity you felt a year ago and give.   

Enid Ablowitz is the Vice President for Advancement at the University of Colorado Foundation, Inc., and Director of Advancement for the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities.  She has been working as a donor advocate for more than a dozen years.  Her book, Making Money Matter:  Eight Steps to Thoughtful Giving was recently published.  For information on how to obtain a copy, contact her at enidablowitz@hotmail.com.

Send your questions about making charitable gifts to Enid Ablowitz, Features, Daily Camera, 1048 Pearl St., Boulder, 80302