These comments are based on UK Giving 2009–An overview of charitable giving in the UK, 2008/09, an annual research study coordinated by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Charities Aid Foundation.

As the new year begins, Americans say they are putting the brakes on spending, including charitable giving, according to a recent Wilson Research Strategies survey commissioned by Dunham+Company.

A recent Wilson Research Strategies/Dunham+Company poll of Christian adults in America has found that nearly 50% of these adults have reduced their giving to charity as a result of the current economic situation.

Background

The growing concerns over the economic slowdown and its impact on various sectors of industry have now seeped into the philanthropic landscape. Many not-for-profit organizations are concerned with the potential impact on their fundraising… with legitimate reason. They especially fear the “R” word — RECESSION — and what that could mean.

The following provides an historical overview of philanthropy during times of recession (based on data from Giving USA/Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University) and suggested strategies to focus on during these difficult economic times.

Four elements of multi-channel performance

The exponential growth of the Internet, while offering near-limitless possibilities for nonprofit fundraising, has also led to the questioning of traditional methods of fundraising.

At the recent Fund Raising Day in New York, sponsored by the New York chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, representatives of The Mellman Group and the A.B. Data Group offered several key findings about fundraising in a report titled “Comparing Apples to Oranges to Pomegranates: A National Review of Direct Mail, Online and Multi-Channel Donors.”