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Fannie & Freddie Email Day |
| Written by Chuck Bean, on November 17, 2008 |
 Background: On October 22, a Coalition* of membership-umbrella organizations sponsored a Call In Day to make our concerns known about the importance of preserving the charitable investments of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Hundreds of concerned constituents called their congressional representatives. This resulted in a letter co-authored by six Congressmen to the Conservator overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Your voice made a difference!
Call to Action: We are still gravely concerned about the prospects of losing the support of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for our region. The Coalition is pressing forward to announce a second Call In Day on Tuesday, November 18. Based on feedback from the last Call In Day, this time we ask that you consider sending your concerns via email. Please pass this call to action to your board members and others concerned about maintaining Fannie's and Freddie's giving in the region.
Subject: Preserving the Charitable Investments of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in Greater Washington
Messages:
- [Describe yourself] I am writing as your constituent.
- Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are leading philanthropic partners in our region. They have been the top two corporate grantmakers for many years. Last year, they invested $47 million in nonprofits in this region.
- Fannie's and Freddie's investments have helped to shelter our neighbors in need, build affordable housing, feed the hungry, and invest in children, youth and families. [If appropriate, add a customized example.]
- If these investments were to suddenly disappear, it would tear a hole in the region's safety net and there would be scores of unmet needs. With local government shortfalls and business declines, no one else could make up the difference.
- We need Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to continue to support the breadth of nonprofits meeting the multiple needs of the community. We need the Federal Housing Finance Agency to allow Fannie and Freddie to continue their grantmaking at previous levels.
The Ask:
- I appreciate that Congressman/Senator __________ has already demonstrated leadership on this issue and has contacted James Lockhart, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
- I ask that Congressman/Senator __________________ again contact Mr. Lockhart, to inquire about the status of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac grantmaking and to urge the Federal Housing Finance Agency to protect the Freddie Mac Foundation and to allow the corporate giving programs of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to continue at their current funding levels and with support that meets the multiple needs of the region.
Contact Information
The District
Maryland:
Virginia:
Please let me know about any contacts that you make by email at cbean@nonprofitroundtable.org.
*The Coalition of membership-umbrella organizations includes the Board of Trade, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, the Council of Governments, Leadership Greater Washington, the United Way of the National Capital Area, and the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers. |
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