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September 5, 2008
Reduced optimism about the climate for charitable giving
A recent press release from The Center of Philanthrophy at Indiana University points out that how nonprofits feel about fundraising in 2008. Some key statements:
"Nonprofits are somewhat less optimistic about the present and future fundraising climates than they were six months and one year ago..."
"...all types of organizations predicted more success with planned giving and special events...than they reported in Summer 2008..."
"For some corporations and donors with lower or fixed incomes, philanthropy may be seen as a kind of luxury good."
If I'm a church leader, why should I care about this? Church leaders who understand what it takes to build and operate sustainable orgaizations and ministries that will exist well beyond their own tenure are willing to state and identify the brutal facts.
If the potential exists for fewer dollars to be available to fund the "dream" budget of 2008, how will you decide what to cut and what to keep? Not asking this question could be a disaster. In turn, how you answer this question will reveal what you value and hold to be essential to the ministry and work of the church.
Posted by bstroup at September 5, 2008 8:53 AM
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