Re-thinking Taxation: Prosperity, Philanthropy and Civil Society
Milwaukee, WI
August 7-8, 2014
Our inaugural Spark Forum re-examined the role of the not-for-profit tax exemption and the charitable deduction in American public policy.
From the controversy over the use of 501(c)(4) entities to advance political causes to the recent abuses of power by the IRS, from the efforts to “Greenline” charitable boards to the growing scrutiny of donor intent by partisans of all stripes, our tax-exempt entities are increasingly a focal point for controversy rather than charitable spirit. In this climate, and given the urgent need for fiscal and tax reform, do the federal tax-exemption and the charitable deduction still serve their intended purposes of promoting and protecting philanthropy?
Over the course of 24 hours, participants gathered for formal and informal discussion sessions, meals, and hospitality.
Re-thinking Taxation: Prosperity, Philanthropy and Civil Society
August 7-8, 2014
The Intercontinental Milwaukee
139 East Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI
SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 7
2:00 p.m. Welcome and Introductions
2:30 p.m. Discussion Session I
Charitable Organizations in the New Tax Regime, 1894-1917
4:00 p.m. Discussion Session II
Re-Thinking Our Tax Regime; Re-thinking the Philanthropic Enterprise
5:30 p.m. Hospitality
6:30 p.m. Dinner
Keynote Address: Tax Reform, Process and Prospects
Stanton Anderson, Senior Counsel to the President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Friday, August 8
Breakfast on your own
9:00 a.m. Discussion Session III
The Charitable Deduction, 1917-2014
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Discussion Session IV
The Future Relationship of Philanthropy and the State?
12:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. Departure
