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

Writing to members of The Chronicle‘s new forum on the networking Web site LinkedIn, Mr. Craver says fund raisers will win big after the recession if they view the current economic troubles as an opportunity.

“Sadly, the economic and financial crisis will continue to dominate the minds of non-profit boards and executives,” Mr. Craver writes. “‘Sadly’ because fear masks opportunity. The opportunity that comes from being aggressive when others are pulling back. The opportunity that comes from experimentation when times are tough.

“The winners — and I mean big winners for 2010, 2011 and 2012 — will be those NGO’s [nongovernmental organizations] who use the current crisis in 2009 to sharply focus on the ‘best’, ‘most loyal’ segments of their donor bases, to aggressively experiment with the use of truly integrated channels (mail, telephone, new media).and to turn the clock back to a personal and accountable focus on recognizing and involving the best of their donors.”

For more from Mr. Craver, check out the transcript of the Chronicle‘s recent live discussion on the future of direct mail.

And to discuss the outlook for nonprofit groups in 2009, join us for a live discussion this Tuesday at noon Eastern time.