Executive Issues

Philadelphia-area Nonprofits Struggling, Survey Finds
May 19, 2009

May 19, 2009, The Philadelphia Inquirer — A new survey paints a bleak economic picture of the region's nonprofit sector, with many organizations reporting funding shortfalls, layoffs, and reductions in programs.

Franklin Forum: Nonprofit Pros Share Advice on Weathering the Economic Downturn
May 12, 2009

The future of fundraising was the main topic at the plenary session at the Franklin Forum, sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Philadelphia Chapter in Philadelphia in late April. While none of the speakers were quite sure exactly what the future of fundraising would look like, they all agreed that it would never be the same.

Recession Gives Small Colleges an Economics Lesson
May 12, 2009

CRAFTSBURY COMMON, Vt., The Associated Press, May 11, 2009 — The 92 students at Sterling College are used to roughing it , they learn how to use an ax, sleep outside in the winter and raise a quarter of their food.

But the recession created a new hardship, forcing administrators to plead with the cash-strapped state for $350,000 for a new dorm that it hopes will attract the minimum of 115 students it needs to survive.

Donor Confidence on the Rise
May 11, 2009

Valencia, CA,  May 1, 2009 —  Confidence among individual American donors edged higher in April 2009 to an index level of 88.2, according to a nationwide survey published by polling firm Campbell Rinker.  The firm’s April Donor Confidence Index topped a score of 87.5 measured in February and bested the 84.7 measured in December.  This trend suggests that donors are gradually gaining confidence in 2009. 

American People to Blame for Economy, Half of Donors Say
May 11, 2009

Valencia, CA,  May 1, 2009  –   Half of American donors blame themselves — the American people – for the present economic situation, according to a new question added to this month’s Donor Confidence survey from donor research firm Campbell Rinker. 

Recession Fails to Halt Spring Charity Benefits
May 11, 2009

May 9, 2009, The New York Times — Despite hard times, many nonprofit groups are proceeding with the charity benefits that are an annual rite of spring. But they are looking for new ways to save money, like scheduling events in donors’ homes and joining forces to cut costs.

Franklin Forum Roundup: Tips to Help Organizations Tread Water in Rough Seas
May 5, 2009

Do you feel like your organization is barely treading water?

In the session "Help! My Development Team Comes to Work in Lifejackets!" at the Franklin Forum, sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Philadelphia Chapter, in Philadelphia in late April, presenters discussed the signs and symptoms of organizations in distress and solutions to weather the storm.

Giving When It Hurts
April 28, 2009

April 27, 2009, Forbes.com — We all know what is happening in the stock market and with investment portfolios ? it's hit almost all of us where it hurts most: in the pocketbook. One sector where this is particularly evident is philanthropy, where there's been a veritable paradigm shift in how we think about what it means to be charitable. While the passion and concern that drives many charitable interests may not have changed, the capacity to give to the causes they care about has changed for many people.