Bill Crim, President and CEO United Way of Salt Lake, to Testify Before the United States Congress

June 8, 2020 (Alexandria, VA) Bill Crim, President and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake to testify before the United States Congress Joint Economic Committee on the impact of the COVID19 health pandemic on the local Salt Lake community, in a meeting presided over by Chairman Mike Lee. Crim is also expected to testify on the impact of COVID19 on demand for United Way services and fundraising. Crim will share specific recommendations on what Congress can do to improve charitable giving incentives immediately, namely expand and make permanent the charitable deduction that was reintroduced in the CARES Act but capped at $300.

“Our commitment to create lasting change and help all kids and families succeed, regardless of their circumstances, holds especially true during this time,” said Bill Crim, President and CEO, United Way Salt Lake. “As we continue to address the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as we are all called to address the urgent need for racial justice in our country, we know that the role of nonprofits, and of charitable giving, is critical.”

During the COVID19 pandemic, United Way and other charitable nonprofits are stepping up even more in their communities as they struggle simultaneously with rapidly declining revenues. Organizations are experiencing increased costs from skyrocketing demands for their services, while their revenues have plummeted because they have had to cancel fundraising events, ticket sales, membership dues have vanished, as the capacity of donors to give has plummeted.

Everyone committed to the work of charitable nonprofits during these uncertain economic times is invited to a hearing before the Joint Economic Committee on Tuesday, June 9 at 2:30 PM. Committee’s livestream of the hearing, available:

https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings-calendar?ID=D8F31B33-A73F-4547-94A4-3D2FB4F18192.    

Hearing:        “Supporting Charitable Giving during the COVID-19 Crisis.”

Witnesses:   Panel I

                       The Honorable James Lankford
                       U. S. Senator from Oklahoma

                       The Honorable Jeanne Shaheen
                       U. S. Senator from New Hampshire            

                        Panel II

                       Mr. Bill Crim, President and CEO
                       United Way of Salt Lake
                       Salt Lake City, Utah

                       Dr. Una Osili, Professor of Economics and Philanthropic        
                       Studies and Associate Dean for Research and International Programs
                       Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
                       IUPUI
                       Indianapolis, Indiana

Chairman:     Mike Lee presiding.

For more information, please visit: https://www.unitedway.org/our-impact/work/public-policy

About United Way
United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Supported by 2.9 million volunteers, 9.8 million donors worldwide and $4.7 billion raised every year, United Way is the world's largest privately funded nonprofit. We're engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our communities. United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and faith-based organizations, along with educators, labor leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more. For more information about United Way, please visit www.UnitedWay.org. Follow us on Twitter: @UnitedWay and #LiveUnited.