Black United Fund Fights Philadelphia Smear Campaign Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source - mumia@webcom.com Jun 4 1999 BLACK UNITED FUND FIGHTS PHILADELPHIA SMEAR CAMPAIGN Supporters of the Black United Fund of Pennsylvania held a news conference June 3 at AFSCME District Council 33 headquarters in Philadelphia. At that time, supporters addressed the news attacks and misguided editorials on BUF/PA being launched by Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. (Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News). Supporters also addressed Mayor Rendell's decision to remove the charity from the city's Combined Campaign (BUF/PA is the only African American charity participating). Supporters from the African American community and other charitable organizations were there to give solidarity, including DC 33 President Pete Matthews; Thomas Paine Cronin, president of aFSCME DC 47; State Rep. James Roebuck, president of the Penna. Legislative Black Caucus, State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, State Sen. Vincent Hughes and William Merittt, president of the National Black United Fund (http://www.nbuf.com). The following statement was released by Black United Fund of Pennsylvania, Inc. president Linda Richardson: JUNE 3, 1999 Since 1783, African American philanthrophy has responded to the needs of our citizens. From the Yellow Fever epidemic in 1783, when members of the Free African Society risked their livesto rescue philadelphia's citizens -- to the 1997 Million Woman March March when the Black United Fund's donor management brought $21 million in economic benefits to the city, African Americans have responded to issues affectingthe community. The Board of Directors ofthe Black United Fund of Pennsylvania recognize the importance of providing donors with a choice to direct their contributions to organizations they support. Our primary purpose is to serve constituent organizations and the African American community as a whole. Last year over 138,000 Pennsylvanians were helped because of funding andtechnical service provided by the Black United Fund. We were established in 1982 for constituent organizations, all of which are non-profit and tax-exempt. Recent articles and editorials in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News have questioned funds generated by the city employee Combined Campaign. Those funds have gone to serve constituent organizations. No donor funds are given to International Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-jamal. The Black United Fund of Pennsylvania has not taken a position on the Mumia Abu-Jamal case. Articles also have questioned our status with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations. First, the Black United Fund of Pennsylvania has addressed this issue by completing our 1998 application to update certification from the Bureau of Charitable Organizations and cooperating with all requests for review. In September 1997, we requested an extension to file our full application for Fiscal Year 1997 due to changing our fiscal year from a calendar year to a fiscal year beginning September 1, 1996 and ending August 31, 1997 pending completion of our audit. Our 1997 audit was completed on January 11, 1999. On April 27, 1999, we filed our 1997 and 1998 records with the bureau. On May 3, 1999, the bureau requested additional information which we have submitted. To date, we have not received any indication that our certification will not be updated and we do not expect a problem with compliance. We have always in the past and will continue to register with the bureau. Secondly, the news reports are purposely misleading. No funds from the City of Philadelphia Employee's Combined Campaign raised by the Black United Fund of Pennsylvania support any project connected with Mumia Abu-Jamal. We do not provide grants to any such organization. We do not actively solicit donations for any such organization. We do however, forward donor contributions specifically designated to International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-jamal. At present, our understanding is that International Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal have incorporated as a non-profit corporation and has filed for 501C3 status. Our service to date is predicated on this action. Should any of these circumstances change, BUF/PA will make necessary adjustments in our management of donor-advised contributions. Third, we did not receive official notification that hte city was removing us from the Combined Campaign until after the city's letter had been sent tothe Inquirer. On May 27, after being informed by the media and others of the pending notification, I personally contacted Deputy Mayor Linda Berkowitz, who then faxed me a copy of the letter dated May 21, 1999. The Black United Fund of Pennsylvania is appealing the decision ofthe City of Philadelphia. We stand on the merits of our organization and the good work we have done for African American communities throughout Pennsylvania for over 16 years. We are the only African American charity in the city's Combined Campaign that provides broad-based support. Additionally, we are the only Black philanthropic organization in the state which provides fiscal sponsorship of donor-advised funds. The Black United Fund movement is the only mechanism working to empower African Americans without prejudice. In spite of the obstacles placed before us, we remain totally committed to and will continue our mission to empower and support programs, events and organizations working to strengthen African Americans. -- 30 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marilyn Kai Jewett (215) 842-9055 3 WAYS TO FIGHT THE ATTACKS on the Black United Fund & Mumia Abu-Jamal 1. WITH YOUR VOICE The Black United Fund has urged people to write letters to the Inquirer (which "broke the story" attacking the BUF). Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 41705, Phila., PA 19101 Fax: 215-854-4483 Comment Line: 215-854-4405 Int'l Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia encourages you to also make your feelings known to Mayor Ed Rendell, Deputy Mayor Kevin Feeley and other officials who ahve supported the removal of BUF from the Combined Campaign. HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT POINTS TO MAKE WHEN WRITING OR CALLING: The BUF provides invaluable support to dozens of community organizations, from the Black women's Health Project to the John Coltrane Cultural Society. These groups are vital parts of our city, and many could not exist without the assistance of BUF. The Inquirer has repeatedly mislead readers by saying that the BUF gives funds to Mumia's cause. It doesn't. The BUF simply allows many community groups (including ICFFMAJ) to utilize its non-profit status: a practice common to non-profit groups aroundthe country. Contrary to reports, the BUF has indeed filed its state charity registration. The attacks on the BUF amount to plain old government censorship. The City should not be allowedto threaten social service organizations' rights to exist just because they take a stand which is unpopular with the government. 2. WITH YOUR WALLET. The Combined Campaign's ban on the Black United Fund means that the BUF would lose about $100,000, one quarter of the income it relies on to fund countless African American community organizations. Show the BUF that you will support their work & defend their decision not to bow to city pressure by sending a check for $1 aor more, payable to: Black United Fund, 2227 N. Broad St., Phila., PA 19132; 215-236-2100; 236-7539 (fax) 3. WITH YOUR ACTION. The BUF held a press conference on June 3 to address the recent events. International Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal will also be holding events in response to this situation. keep in touch to find out about how you can attend these events, and be an ally to the BUF & Mumia in this important time. For more information contact 215-476-8812 Fax: 215-476-7551 email: mumia@webcom.com http://mumia.org/ ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytrc-06.06.99-11:40:03-25336