Support Non-Profit Organizations like Houston Audubon
Recently the U.S. Senate has released wording on a reconciliation bill that, if passed, would significantly harm non-profit organizations like Houston Audubon. This bill reduces incentives and imposes restrictions on charitable donations.
Your local non-profits, including Houston Audubon, greatly rely on charitable donations to protect birds and wildlife. In fact, charitable donations fund so much of what makes Houston Audubon so special, including managing over 4,000 acres of land for bird habitat, two Native Plant Nurseries, visitor infrastructure like the McGovern Canopy Walkway, education and outreach programs for all ages, and much more. All of this would not be possible without the help of charitable donations.
As a constituent to the representatives in your community, your voice matters.
Please reach out to your representatives to ask them to revise harmful aspects of this bill, and instead introduce verbiage that will support non-profits that aim to improve their communities. Additionally, share with your representative how Houston Audubon and other non-profits have positively impacted your quality of life.
Below are some ways that you can help.
1. Submit a public comment
Send a message to your representative's tax staffer, chief of staff, and legislative director.
2. Call your elected officials and ask them to support non-profits
Tell Senator Cruz, Senator Cornyn, and your U.S. House Representative that you want to see provisions created for a non-itemizer tax incentive for charitable donations to nonprofit organizations. Be sure to state your name, and zip code, so that your call is tallied.
3. Share this message
Forward this message to friends, family, and fellow nature lovers. Let’s make sure decision-makers hear from thousands of Texans. Your support for Houston Audubon protects birds and habitat here on the Upper Texas Coast and beyond. Let’s stand together to defend non-profits and protect the organizations that protect wildlife.
Thank you for speaking up.
Sample Message
Subject: Protect the critical work of nonprofits in Texas
Dear [INSERT STAFFERS FIRST NAME AND LAST NAME],
As a constituent of [SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE LAST NAME] and a member of the Houston Audubon Society, I’m writing to express my unwavering support for nonprofit organizations. These organizations, which operate throughout Texas, deliver essential services and support to our community. From addressing local needs to fostering volunteerism to permanently conserving land, nonprofits provide invaluable resources to our communities every day. Unfortunately, they are now also under considerable threat.
Aspects of the tax reconciliation bill are harmful to non-profits, and I strongly oppose limits on charitable donations by individuals or corporations. I urge you to revise Sections 70111, 70425, and 70426. Each of these sections reduces the incentive for charitable donations that help non-profits serving the community and protecting wildlife.
Instead, I ask that you support the creation of a non-itemizer tax incentive for charitable donations to nonprofit organizations.
Thank you
[YOUR NAME]"
