We know from IRS data and New Jersey’s Center for Nonprofits that, in fact, lower-income families donate a higher percentage of their income to charity than higher-income taxpayers do. A deduction would send an important signal to New Jerseyans of all incomes that we value their charitable giving.

David Thompson of the National Council of Nonprofits has said that, “the charitable deduction is not just a nice thing for taxpayers, it's vital to the communities. All politicians from across the political spectrum have come to the same conclusion that we are hurting our communities by discouraging giving to charities.”