Alumni gifts help universities out in tough times

Officials at local institutions say gifts keep coming in, but some are smaller because of the recession.

Full-text article by Tyra M. Vaughn available via dailypress.com, 1.12.09.

Fund Raiser Looks for Good in a Bad Economy

One fundraiser has resolved to concentrate on positive aspects of both challenges and opportunities posed by the financial crisis.

Full-text article by Holly Hall available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 1.10.09.

A Mixed Outlook for Corporate Giving in 2009

While charitable giving by corporations and corporate foundations is expected to drop in 2009, the overall decrease may not be as severe as in past recessions.

Full-text article by Paula Wasley available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 1.07.09.

How Did Online Fund Raising Fare In 2008?

Online giving remained relatively strong in 2008, despite the creaky economy.

Full-text article by Caroline Preston available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 1.06.09.

Nonprofit Groups Must Avoid Fear During Recession

Nonprofit groups must avoid adopting a hunker-down mentality in the face of the current recession, urges Roger Craver, a veteran fund-raising consultant.

Full-text article by Peter Panepento available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 1.05.09.

Wall Street Donors Continue to Give Millions of Dollars, Despite Downturn

On a rainy Tuesday night, the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York raised what officials called a "staggering" $18.8-million at the charity's annual Wall Street Dinner.

Full-text article by Holly Hall avaiable via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 12.17.08.

Mapping Foundation Help

A new interactive map tracks grants that foundations have made to help charities deal with fallout from the economic crisis.

Full-text article by Nicole Wallace available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 12.10.08.

Generosity of Alumni Continues in Recession

Colleges and universities, which have seen their endowments skid with the economy, are finding they still can count on the loyalty of alumni.

Full-text article by Karen Kapsidelis available via The News & Advance, 12.9.08.

Beyond the Ivied Halls, Endowments Suffer

Some of America's universities are looking to sell parts of their investment portfolios privately, in order to preserve their rapidly eroding endowments.

Full-text article by Claire Cain Miller and Geraldine Fabrikant available via The New York Times, 11.25.08.

Americans Rate Charity Gifts a Priority This Holiday Season

Despite concerns about the economy, Americans are not planning on cutting back on their charitable giving.

Full-text article by Caroline Preston available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 11.18.08.

Jobless Numbers: Why Fund Raisers Should Keep an Eye on Them

Fund raisers should keep a close eye on joblessness statistics. Those numbers will determine just how challenging fund raising in the bad economy will be, according to a new report.

Full-text article by Holly Hall available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 11.11.08.

Americans Plan to Cut Back Holiday Spending, But Not Giving

Americans may be cutting back on their holiday spending because of the economy, but they still plan to give to charity, according to a survey conducted for PayPal.

Full-text article by Caroline Preston available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 11.07.08.

Consumers Expect Companies to Keep Giving

New research suggests that consumers would show less loyalty to companies that curtail giving as the economic crisis worsens.

Full-text blog post is available via the Chronicle's Prospecting Blog, 10.8.08.

Online Fundraising in a Troubled Economy

The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University reports that 74% of donations to charities in 2007 stem from individual gifts. No doubt online fundraisers will start to see some dips not usually associated with September and October, months where online giving is typically up from the August malaise. But, are online fundraisers affected and how will this affect year-end giving?

Full-text report is available via onPhilanthropy, 10.1.08.

Bentz Whaley Flessner Advisory: Giving Through Tough Economic Times

It appears as if most economists believe there is a good chance the United States may slip into a recession in 2008. Whether you think there is coming recession or not, one thing is clear: the current downturn in the stock market will be a challenge for fundraising this year.

What does this mean for you?
The answer to this economic challenge is not to give up on fundraising should a recession arrive in 2008; but rather, the solution is to work harder and smarter than you did in 2007. Consider the following strategies.

Read more of this January 2008 Advisory on the Bentz Whaley Flessner website and learn what steps you can take to strenghten donor relations through this tough economic period.