Tomorrow’s Forcast is cloudy with a 95% chance of economic crisis and unemployment moving in by late afternoon. Are predictions dark and gloomy for nonprofits or will the sun poke its rays through the gloom?
2009 may be shaping up to be the perfect time for people to give to their favorite cause. While money is in short supply, the stock market is proving to be a fatal investment option, and businesses are laying-off employees, nonprofit organizations are proving their ability to weather the storm.
Baby boomer and Huffington Post retirement expert Mark Miller wrote last month, “The business world is crumbling all around us, but non-profits have been growing faster than either the business or government sector–and they’re facing a shortage of talent. Best of all, the non-profit sector is gradually waking up to the potential of encore career switchers–people who want to move into new lines of work with meaning in the second half of life.”
Not only are nonprofits recruiting young talent, the outlook for giving might not be as stormy as predicted. In a survey conducted by Dini Partners, 34 individual major donors, 14 foundations, and 6 philantrhipic corporations were surveyed about their giving to nonprofits in 2009.
- 64% indicate they will be motivated by the existing relationship with the paritcular institution
- 33% responded that their giving will focus soley on programs that help the poor and those in need
- 50% said that they will limit their giving to fewer projects
When asked what single factor will have the greatest wieght in their giving decisions in 2009, the majority again confirmed that an existing relationship with the agency or institution will be of singular importance. The second and third factors respectively include the economic or social need of the asking agency or institution and the vision of the agency.
The money hasn’t dried-up or blown away – nonprofits will just need to spend a little more time developing relationships with donors and supporters. 34% said their giving will be the same as 2008 giving and 5% said their giving will increase. At least that’s partly sunny…
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