Speaking of Fundraising: 5 Tips for Nonprofits in an Economic Downturn

3. Be innovative. In order to entice donors to give money to your charity, especially during a recession, you must be willing to be flexible in how you spend contributions and think of creative ways to utilize dollars. For example, naming a hospital wing after a potential donor might make someone more inclined to give, compared to putting the money toward new hospital equipment. During a recession, people want to make sure their money is being used well and in a way that will be remembered — in other words, in order for people to reach into their pockets, the return has to be worth their investment. Don’t be afraid to think of out-of-the-box ways to use gifts.