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NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

Shelley Rood

AJFCA Washington Director

                                  Wednesday, October 12, 2011

TAX DEDUCTIONS for CHARITABLE GIVING

 

The Senate leadership has rejected a proposed limitation on itemized tax deductions, including the charitable contribution deduction, as a means to help pay for the proposed jobs bill. Senate leaders rejected the administration's proposal to help pay for the cost of the $447 billion America Jobs Act by capping tax deductions and exclusions, including the charitable deduction. A Senate vote on the revised jobs bill was defeated this week. However, as Congress continues work on deficit reduction it is important to note that the limitation on itemized deductions, including the charitable contribution deduction, is still part of the Administration's formal recommendations to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, which is charged with finding at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction by November 23rd.

JEWISH CHAPLAINS MEMORIAL DEDICATION CEREMONY

It is our great honor and pleasure to invite you to Arlington National Cemetery as we dedicate a monument to honor, at last, the memories of 14 Jewish chaplains who died in service to our nation. The dedication of the Jewish Chaplains Memorial is the culmination of nearly three years of community effort. AJFCA and hundreds of organizations and individual donors of all faiths worked hard to build support, and in May 2011, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation calling for the establishment of the Jewish Chaplains Memorial. This year marks the 150th anniversary of service by Jewish chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces. We hope you will be able to join us for this special dedication ceremony. The ceremony will be held October 24th, at 1:00pm. Click here to view the invitation.

CONGRESSIONAL JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE on DEFICIT REDUCTION  

  

Under the Budget Control Act, Congress is charged with appointing a "Super Committee" to find $1.2 trillion in debt savings over the next 10 years. AJFCA and other Jewish organizations have weighed in with members of the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Super Committee), to make sure that our priorities are known. Most importantly, as the service providers of people in need across the country, we want to stress our position that the poor and most vulnerable should not bear a disproportionate burden of the budget cuts. AJFCA has been actively participating in meetings with members of the Super Committee and their staffs and has signed on to this letter. Additionally, our partner organization, JFNA has sent a letter, as well.      

WASHINGTON GRANTS BULLETIN

Grants Bulletin Website

  

U.S. Department of Agriculture   

Program: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program   

Deadline: November 17, 2011   

Funding: $5 million for multiple awards up to $500,000 each   

Eligibility: Private nonprofit organizations   

Description: Community Food Projects bring together stakeholders from the distinct parts of the food system to foster understanding of national food security trends and how they might improve local food systems.

Community Food Projects seek to:

  • Meet the food needs of low-income individuals
  • Increase a community's capability to meet its overall food needs
  • Promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues
  • Meet specific state, local, or neighborhood food and agricultural needs including infrastructure improvement and development, planning for long-term solutions or the creation of innovative marketing activities.

This program funds three types of awards: (1) one-time grants to develop Community Food Projects; (2) planning grants to assess the food security needs and plan long-term solutions; and (3) a national grantee to provide training and capacity building.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in an Oct. 27 webinar from 1-3 P.M. EST. 

Click here for grant guidance.   

Contact Information: Elizabeth Tuckermanty, (202) 205-0241; Katrena Hanks, (202) 401-5286  

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Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation   

Programs: Literacy and Education Grants   

Deadline: October 28, 2011   

Funding: Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000   

Eligibility: United States requestors must be a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, Canadian requestors must be a registered Canadian charity   

Description: The foundation provides direct support for children in literacy and education programs, including summer reading programs, early childhood education programs and literacy programs for children with special needs.

The foundation provides the following the following two types of funding:

  • Individual Project Grants: These grants are generally for one-time purchases or to fulfill a short-term need, such as the purchase of materials or books
  • Organization Program Grants: These grants fund start-up or operational costs for ongoing programs, such as a summer reading program.

Organizations that received funding in 2010 are ineligible to apply for a grant until 2012. Priority is given to nonprofits in communities with a Build-A-Bear store.  Questions   

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Mary Byron Project    

Program: Celebrating Solutions Awards   

Deadline: November 18, 2011   

Funding: Approximately four $10,000 awards   

Eligibility: 501 (c)(3) nonprofits and governments that offer domestic violence programs that have been in existence for at least three years   

Description: The Mary Byron Project created the Celebrating Solutions Awards to showcase and applaud local innovations that demonstrate promise in breaking the cycle of domestic violence. They select programs that can serve as models for the nation and offer $10,000 cash awards in recognition of their pioneering efforts-these funds are for accomplishments, not grants for future projects. Nominations are judged by a panel of experts in criminal justice, health care and public policy and other disciplines that address domestic violence. Recipients are not required to render any further services as a condition of receiving a Celebrating Solutions Award. The domestic violence program must be replicable.
Questions, (866) 264-6684

The Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland is a past winner of this award.