About

Why was the Crisis Charitable Commitment effort launched?

There is an urgent need for more resources to go to charitable organizations. The CCC creates a reasonable benchmark for philanthropists, a minimum to give to meet the demands created by the crises.

The CCC shines a light on those in the charitable donor community who are meeting the Charitable Commitment. These donors are demonstrating that making the Charitable Commitment is both the reasonable and responsible thing to do, and are helping to influence other donors to join them in stepping up to the plate.

How were the Crisis Charitable Commitment percentages determined?

The Charitable Commitment sets a minimum charitable contribution percentage for foundations, donor-advised funds and ultra high net worth individuals. The overall goal is to double the amount of charitable dollars going to nonprofits without creating an unreasonable burden on the donor. We recognize that these minimums may be low by some people’s standards, especially against the backdrop of the high investment returns experienced over the last few years. The Charitable Commitment takes into account four related efforts:

  1. The Emergency Charitable Stimulus (ECS) bill. If enacted into law, ECS would require private foundations and donor-advised funds to distribute 10% of their assets in each of three years. The CCC has a similar 10% requirement (with the exception of 6% for the first $50 million for foundations), but because we don’t have time to wait, it is a pledge to both contribute now and lead by example.
  2. One-for-Democracy. This campaign seeks to have donors commit 1% of their assets to democracy-related organizations. The CCC requires a broader charitable response to the crises, recognizing the enormous need that will not be adequately met by even huge government programs. However, the CCC strongly recommends that top-line consideration be given to organizations that focus on racial justice and on ensuring a safe and secure election.
  3. The Giving Pledge. Signatories–all billionaires–pledge to give more than half of their wealth to charity. Whereas signatories are not required to fulfill their pledge during their lifetimes, the CCC provides a road map for billionaires who want to begin to meet their commitment sooner rather than later. The “rainy day” is now: the CCC is a commitment to help the needy today. As with the Pledge, the CCC doesn’t say where to give the money, but it encourages donors to consider racial justice and protecting our democracy as funding priorities.
  4. The Wealth Tax. Various proposals have ranged from 1% to 8% starting on wealth as low as $30 million. Many people of wealth have recognized the need and willingness to be taxed more to address disparities in wealth. The CCC is voluntary, and while no substitute for taxes, demonstrates a genuine concern for giving back to society.
What Do I Get From Making the Commitment?

A baseball cap. Seriously. And we hope a little satisfaction from knowing that you have stepped up to the plate, and that you are not alone in doing so.

Why does the Crisis Charitable Commitment have a minimum contribution amount of $100,000?

This effort is targeted at high-net worth foundations, donor-advised funds and individuals, both because of the substantial amount of resources they control, and because historically they have been considerably less generous than those with fewer resources. And, if we didn’t have a minimum, we wouldn’t have enough baseball caps to give to all signatories!

Donors should be aware of two important and related efforts that do not require a minimum contribution:

  • The Resource Generation Pledge   

    Resource Generation organizes young people with wealth and class privilege in the U.S. to become transformative leaders working towards the equitable distribution of wealth, land and power.

  • #HalfMyDAF

    Well over $120 billion still sits in Donor Advised Funds—charitable dollars that could be put to work. Our goal is to inspire giving and transform DAFs from enormous parking lots into funding superhighways. 

Why is the distribution rate for foundations only 6% for the first $50 million of assets?

Smaller foundations tend to operate at a disadvantage when it comes to the ability to support staff and have investment opportunities available to them. The most recent obvious example: multi-billion dollar foundations can borrow money to fund their grant making, an option smaller foundations do not have. This progressive charitable structure allows for all foundations to participate in the CCC on a relatively equal footing.

Does it matter where I give the money?

As long as it’s a 501c3 or 501c4 organization, no. But we urge you to consider the particular urgencies we face with respect to protecting our democracy, racial justice, and the range of pandemic-created crises. We are in a unique moment to bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice, but we risk losing this opportunity if POC-led organizations continue to be underfunded. The needs and options for resourcing organizations working on all these issues are significant.

Do contributions made before signing the CCC count?

Any and all dollars that have gone out the door count for the calendar year. If you meet the Charitable Commitment and have not yet signed on, please do so. The more signatories we have, the greater the influence we’ll have over other potential donors.

Contact us

The Crisis Charitable Commitment effort is underwritten by the WhyNot Initiative, the social change program of the Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund, a private family foundation.

If we can be of any help or answer any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Alan Davis Alan S. Davis

Chairperson, Crisis Charitable Commitment
President, Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund

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