Charities Try New Tactics to Persuade Gloomy Donors to Give

As charities gear up for the third holiday fund-raising season in a down economy, nonprofits are searching for ways to unlock the Grinch-like spirit gripping many donors. But finding new approaches that produce strong results remains elusive for many groups.

An organizations seeking a new way to solicit is the Nature Conservancy — starting its online year-end campaign 15 days earlier this year. But the organization is avoiding asking for money right away, instead spotlighting what scientists say about environmental issues and other topics.