Tough times don’t have to spell financial distress for nonprofits. You just have to know how much to ask for and how to ask for it.

By Kevin Gault

Schatzle says The Ocean Conservancy’s fundraising strategy has remained essentially the same but that donors are approached very carefully.

“We’re aware that our donors are dealing with the economy just as our organization is,” he says. “When talking to our donors, it’s important for us to be diplomatic and sensitive to the economic position they’re in. But there still are plenty of people who have wealth and the desire to support the mission of worthy nonprofit organizations.”