"Some of you may have heard of proposals by President Obama to reduce the amount of the charitable deduction on gifts from higher income individuals to nonprofit organizations. This is a part of his budget proposal, and he recently reaffirmed that this is his wish. We are working with the major organizations in the nonprofit sector to oppose this proposal.

"A coalition was formed consisting of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Direct Marketing Association Nonprofit Federation, the American Society of Association Executives, the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, and the National Catholic Development Conference. This coalition has sent letters to members of the Senate Finance Committee and other representatives and government officials explaining that any disincentive to donating to charities comes at the worst possible time and would be counterproductive.

"I'm pleased to let you know that key congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle indicate to us that these proposals are unlikely to go anywhere due to congressional opposition. While one never says 'never' when it comes to Washington and politics, at least for the time being it appears that they are focusing their energies elsewhere."

— Geoff Peters, president and CEO, CDR Fundraising Group, in a June 17 update to CDR clients and other professional contacts