Fundraising During a Recession

With growing concerns of a global recession this week, some nonprofits may we wondering how they can prepare for the expected declines in giving. No need to panic, our sector has endured difficult economic times before. Michael Seltzer noted earlier this week on PhilanTopic that nonprofits are survivors, “We're accustomed to wearing our belts snugly -- and tightening them when the economy takes a turn for the worse.”

How do you increase your chances of survival? A recent issue of Advancing Philanthropy contains some basic tips that may help:

-Avoid dramatic cuts in staff; you may do more harm than good in the long run.

-Since donors will be more cautious with their giving, greater transparency in your organization can convince donors that their gifts will be used effectively.

-Don’t focus all your energy on just the major donors. You might want to concentrate on your donor base that consistently supports your annual campaign.

Learn more tips by reading Mary Ellen Collins’s article in the January/February 2008 issue of Advancing Philanthropy, “Enjoy the Ride: How to Effectively Raise Funds in a Roller-Coaster Economy.” (p. 27-30).