Senate Measure Seeks to Spur Foundations to Give More

Foundations and others contend that the current system, established in 1986, discourages higher payouts in times of need.

“This year, most of the foundations in Detroit will be paying out much more than they have in the past because of the needs,” said C. David Campbell, president of the McGregor Fund, a foundation based in that city. “But that will leave all of us in the position of paying more taxes going forward, which ironically will further diminish what we have to support nonprofits.”