First Day Podcast

In this episode of The First Day podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., is joined by Dr. Patrick Rooney, Emeritus Professor at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, to discuss the ongoing debate over the Universal Charitable Deduction (UCD). With decades of expertise in philanthropy and economics, Dr. Rooney explains how tax incentives impact charitable giving, particularly in light of past tax reforms that significantly reduced the number of itemizing households. While many donors give based on personal values, research shows that financial incentives, like tax deductions, can encourage even greater generosity. Dr. Rooney and Bill dive into the latest UCD proposal currently moving through Congress, which suggests a deduction of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for couples—substantially higher than previous temporary versions, which were limited to just a few hundred dollars. Rooney highlights research indicating that well-structured tax incentives can increase both the numbe