A Charitable Giving Stimulus Package?

It's hard times and many nonprofits are and will experience the pain of tightening budgets and perhaps worse.   Take for the example the saga that has unfolded over at Kjerstin Erickison's blog about her organization, FORGE.  Yesterday's New York Times published the annual giving section with articles by David Cay Johnston, Joe Nocera and Stephanie Strom's analyisis of the economy's impact on giving.   Expert observer Lucy Bernholz comments it is really hard for analysts to make predictions without being able to track the giving flow in almost real time.

The problems of scarcity inspire creative action.  Take for example, the Columbus Foundation's recently launhced Match Day 2.0, a giving stimulus plan created to matching gifts to PowerPhilanthropy organizations and raise $1 million in 48 hours to support local needs in their community.

Earlier this year, Foundation donors and the community celebrated the launch of PowerPhilanthropy with Match Day—a historic event that raised more than $815,000 for the community and positively impacted 245 local nonprofit organizations.

And while some businesses are cutting back in product donations, Payless just announced that it is donating $1 Million in new shoes to American families in need. Nonprofits are eligible to apply for the shoes to distribute to clients. (Hurry the deadline is November 21st)  And, companies like Tyson Foods continue to champion the cause of ending hunger and giving food donations.

And, we're going to see more and more individuals take action on behalf of a charity -- take for example Maura Welch who is raising money for Room To Read's project in Cambodia, or Dave Delaney raising money for donors choose.

So, we can sit around and whine about the economy or inspire people to take action for our causes or do something for a nonprofit or cause.  What will you do this holiday season?

Comments

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[bethP]

Hi Beth,

I read the NYT article and Lucy Bernholtz's comments this morning; it's good to keep reading all the perspectives on this subject as the situation evolves. I recently interviewed Alex Counts, President of Grameen Foundation USA, and he had this to say (specifically regarding opportunities for microfinance):

"This climate will prompt everyone to prioritize and only support the most effective approaches. Microfinance can benefit from that. Microfinance is a kind of ethical version of sub-prime lending. It can show the world what happens when the poor are provided funds for investment (rather than consumption) from lenders who are incentivized the right way and who maintain a close relationship with the borrower."

His point can be generalized to peer-to-peer fundraising or philanthropy initiatives. We may see a great opportunity for the most effective organizations with the most effective approaches to benefit.

(Full text of interview here: http://www.teamfirstgiving.com/tips/run-poverty-out-of-town-tips-from-grameen-foundation-president-alex-counts/)