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March 24, 2009

Lawmaker Seeks to Support Nonprofit Groups, Aide Says

Rep. John Lewis, an influential Democratic lawmaker, is interested in supporting the work of charities and foundations during the economic downturn, an aide to the congressman said today.

Michaeleen Crowell, legislative director for Mr. Lewis, said the congressman from Georgia formed strong opinions of the nonprofit world after working with grass-roots groups as part of the civil-rights movement.

“Because of these experiences in many ways, he’s one of your biggest allies,” she said. “But his experiences also make him a sober judge to hold high expectations for the charitable community.”

Ms. Crowell spoke at a meeting of the Council on Foundations, an association of grant makers in Arlington, Va. Members of the council are in Washington this week to meet with federal lawmakers.

Ms. Crowell encouraged nonprofit leaders to tell members of Congress about the social problems in their regions and how they could partner with government.

“You represent a powerful force in our economy, and we need to figure out ways to nurture the relations between you and the federal government to meet the most pressing needs of the people in our country,” she said.

Mr. Lewis encourages foundations to stir up “good trouble, necessary trouble” to help the less fortunate, she said.

As chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, which oversees tax issues and tax-exempt groups, she said Mr. Lewis has been primarily focused on the financial crisis, but he is interested in nonprofit issues.

“You can be sure that even if we’re not having hearings that impact you directly on the issues of foundations, we are listening,” she said.

— Ian Wilhelm

Tuesday March 24, 2009 | Permalink

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