Op/Ed: Hoosiers are a giving bunch. Keep it that way. Protect donor privacy in Indiana.

Claudia Cummings
·2 min read
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As Hoosiers, we take pride in our generosity and humility. No matter how we’re making a difference — a school fundraiser or a donation to our favorite charitable cause — we should be able to choose whether or not to be recognized for it.

The Indiana General Assembly is currently considering legislation that would preserve this choice: The right of charitable donors to keep their giving private if they wish. This is a key pillar of philanthropy. Without this protection, donor privacy could be at risk. If Indiana’s certified nonprofits, which include some religious institutions, can no longer provide the option of giving anonymously, it could produce a chilling effect that endangers the funding of so much good work throughout the state.

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There are many reasons people choose to keep their donations private. Many simply value their privacy. Others feel it is consistent with their religious beliefs. And some fear harassment or retaliation. In a 2021 Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance survey, nearly 70% of Americans said privacy concerns are important to them when making charitable donations.

Freedom of religion, speech and association are hallmarks of America. It is enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution for a reason. The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the right of individuals to give and associate privately: 1958’s NAACP v. Alabama and 2021’s Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta being two prominent examples.

Claudia Cummings
Claudia Cummings

As president of Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, the state’s largest association representing foundations, companies and social investors in all 92 counties, I strongly support this legislation to protect donor privacy. Let us continue our Hoosier tradition of being generous and humble, while protecting the privacy of those who give back.

Claudia Cummings is president and CEO of Indiana Philanthropy Alliance.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Bill protects Hoosiers' privacy when making charitable donations