Lawmakers urge charities to boost diversity support

Congressional tax writers have issued a subtle warning to charities and other nonprofit organizations: Start placing a heavier emphasis on serving diverse communities, or you may risk losing your tax-exempt status.That was the veiled threat leveled at tax-exempt organizations during a round of hearings before the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee. In announcing the hearing, Chairman John Lewis, D-Ga., noted that while "charitable organizations play a key role in our country's ability to respond to the needs of its communities, those communities are becoming increasingly diverse."

Lewis, whose subcommittee oversees the Internal Revenue Service, told charities pointedly that they "must do more to serve all Americans no matter where they live, and match charitable resources with the needs of diverse communities."