The recession is clearly a top-of-mind issue for most of the people attending the Association of Fundraising Professionals annual conference in New Orleans.

But the organization’s president, Paulette Maehara, said she has seen glimmers of optimism despite what she says is a “solemn” atmosphere at the event.

Most fund raisers face declines in staff and other resources, skittish donors, and worries about how long the recession will last.

Many others are working with donors who want to extend their pledges or put off big gifts.

Still, Ms. Maehara said the organization has found that many groups are doing well.

A recent survey of the organization’s members found that 60 percent are expecting gifts to their organizations to either increase or remain about the same in 2009 when compared with 2008. That number suggests the recession, while painful, is not going to be a crippling blow to many organizations, she said.

With that as the backdrop, Ms. Maehara said she will be reinforcing the message to members that they should stick to the fundamentals.

“My advice is ‘Don’t panic,’” she said. “Listen to the message you get from your financial adviser — take the long view. That means being prudent, being realistic, and focusing on the fundamentals that got you here. Those are all important messages for donors to hear.”