It's a hard time to be a charity

Recent USA Today article by Kevin McCoy and Oren Dorell discusses some the issues confronting nonprofits as a result of the economic downturn. Below are some facts that the article relates that provide some picture of the issue:

• Catholic Charities USA reports that January-to October contributions fell to $7.6 million, down 4% or $300,000 from the same period last year.
• The Meals on Wheels Association of America says roughly two-thirds of its members surveyed recently reported drops in both corporate and individual donations. Programs in Texas, Minnesota and California were forced to close this year.
• The Salvation Army reports its western territory suffered a 9% drop in overall fundraising since August alone. Data for the organization's other territories weren't available.
• Goodwill Industries International says public support from cash donations, bequests and special events fell 2.3% for the first eight months of 2008 in comparison with the same period last year.

As nonprofits are presented with hard times, organizations will respond with passion and creativity. Can you share examples of how your nonprofit is trying something new during these hard times in the Mid-Hudson Valley?

The new face of giving

A recent article in USA TODAY highlights the growth in donations in the US, and the unique and new ways that Millennials and Generation Xers (20- and 30-somethings) are helping charities raise money. Can anyone say web 2.0? That's right, YouTube and Facebook.

“I’m Not Rockefeller”: 33 High Net Worth Philanthropists Discuss Their Approach to Giving

A recent report from University of Pennsylvania's The Center for High Impact Philanthropy offers an interesting perspective from a group of "high net worth individual philanthropists (defined by the Center as having the capacity to give $1 million per year)" that were interviewed about their approach to giving.