Action Alert #3
Fax to Senator T. Daschle

Student Advocates for the Arts

Teachers College, Columbia University
520 West 120^th Street
New York, NY  10027
Fax 202- 224-7895

August 8, 2002


The Honorable Tom Daschle
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Daschle:

We are writing to urge you to schedule a full senate vote on S. 1924, the Charity Aid, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act of 2002. The tax incentives in the bill, especially for individual giving, will prove enormously beneficial to arts organizations as well as individual artists.  

This Act is vital to the mission and values of the Student Advocates for the Arts organization because it our belief that the arts are what define this nation, that creativity provides a great source for our nation’s economic strength, and that the arts play an important role in the understanding among all nations.

In this time of economic uncertainty, charitable organizations need help more than ever. In fact, according to a recent survey by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, 44 percent of charities are experiencing shortfalls in funds raised after September 11 when compared to their fundraising efforts the previous year. Organizations that serve their communities need help so that they can continue to serve the public.

The American economy is built upon a base of creative knowledge workers, entrepreneurs, and artists. As you consider charitable giving incentives, I urge you to act to strengthen the base of America’s artistic community in this new century.  The CARE Act - S. 1924 - will help ensure a fulfilling future for our arts organizations and a prosperous future for our nation.

Sincerely,

Peter Heslip	Mary Ellington
Cayce Travis	Alyssum Wier