The Chronicle is indicating an uptick in charitable giving in the first two quarters of 2010. This parallels the findings of Boston College Center on Wealth and Philanthropy's Individual Giving Model published last month in Advancing Philanthropy. Our scenario indicates that if the same conditions persisted through the rest of the year as in the first two quarters, there would be an increase in indvidual giving between 3 and 4.5 percent over the estimated total for 2009. Although the Chronicle's study seeks to provide an index indicating relative changes in the fundraising climate, and we seek to capture changes in the amount of giving by individuals, we agree about an uptick in the first two quarters. We agree, too, with the Chronicle's caution that these positive inklings may not
continue through the rest of the year. Father Guido Sarducci, forcasting the weather, once said something like the following: "Whether it will be sunny or rainy tomorrow, depends mostly upon the weather." In our case, the climate of giving and fundraising during the rest of the year depends mostly upon the economy.
P. Schervish

Don't be discouraged! While the economy does influence giving, don't forget that the same people who support your organization now and before are still passionate about your cause. While some of these folks may not be able to give as much as before, ask them to help you spread the word of the organization and its work. Engaging more people and providing them with compelling reasons to invest in your nonprofit is the key to surviving this economy.
Kevin D. Feldman