Lots of attention–appropriately–is being paid to the federal government’s new, extended reach into the private economy, setting salaries and owning auto companies. But, beneath the radar, a combination of Obama Administration initiatives is extending government influence over philanthropy and charitable organizations, as well.
New tax rules may pull up to $7 billion away from private charity–at a time when six of ten United Ways already report steep drops in giving. And a new White House office (of Social Innovation) will make its own grants to non-profits–but only for select purposes.
Finally, a big authorized increase in the program called Americorps–from 75,000 participants to 250,000–will turn legions of prospective volunteers into government-supported labor, awarded, again, through a government grant process–not private philanthropy. It all could combine to change philanthropy as we know it, as I explain in this article on Town Hall.