ACR NEWSLETTER

ACR Bill to Protect Foundation Giving Passes in Florida

New bill protects philanthropic freedom and encourages charitable giving in the sunshine state

On May 27, 2010, Governor Charlie Crist of Florida signed into law Senate Bill 998 which protects Florida foundations and the charities they support. ACR, along with a coalition of key legislators, foundations, philanthropic associations and policy organizations, advanced this legislation as part of a state-based strategy to protect donor intent and philanthropic freedom.

Additional Resources
- Legislation: SB 998 text (see page 10, line 288)
- Summary of Legislation:
- Press Release: ACR announces bill passage (June 1, 2010)
- Policy Brief: Philanthropy’s Future in the Sunshine State, James Madison Institute (December 2009)
- Point of View: Assault on Philanthropy, James Madison Institute (December 2009)
- Model Legislation: Text of Model State legislation to protect philanthropic freedom

Press
- Summer 2010 President’s Note: Sunshine for Philanthropic Freedom, Philanthropy Magazine (Adam Meyerson)
- 7/11 Letter to the Editor: Florida’s New Foundation Law Protects Donor Intent, Chronicle of Philanthropy (Sue Santa)
——6/11 Opinion: New FL Law Makes It Harder for Foundations to Live Up to Values, Chronicle of Philanthropy (Emmett Carson)
- 6/14 Opinion: FL Law Stands up for Charity, Washington Examiner & San Francisco Examiner (Adam Meyerson)
- 6/4 Florida Protects Philanthropic Freedom, Philanthropy Daily
- 6/1 Fla. Adopts Legislation to Protect Foundations’ Autonomy, Chronicle of Philanthropy

- June New Florida law, Resolutions Promote & Protect State’s Philanthropy, Florida Philanthropic Network

Pina says “We’re Right to Push for More Charity for Minorities”

Article by Al Pina, Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition, in the Wall Street Journal

Comments from Al Pina:

“At first your editorial “The Philanthropy Shakedown” (Dec. 30) on the efforts by Greenlining and the Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition with foundations made me chuckle. But I concluded that your opinion is a derivative of nothing more than ignorance…”

Further Reading

• "The Philanthropy Shakedown" at online.wsj.com
• Read article at online.wsj.com

The Philanthropy Shakedown

Wall Street Journal Editorial says “Give to ‘minority-led’ charities, or else”

Excerpt: “In 2006, Publix Supermarket Charities donated almost $30 million to causes that included Habitat for Humanity, the March of Dimes and United Way. But Al Pina isn’t satisfied. Mr. Pina, the chairman of the Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition, believes Publix isn’t giving enough to people of color who donate to other people of color. Welcome to the latest trend in racial extortion…”

Further Reading

• Read article at online.wsj.com

Greenlining’s Florida Report

Philanthropic Investment in the Sunshine State

The Greenlining Institute, a California-based activist organization, released a report on what it identified as gaps in funding to minority organizations in the state of Florida.

Further Reading

• Report: "Philanthropic Investment in the Sunshine State" - Greenlining Institute, Dec 2008