The document provides strategies and ideas for nonprofit organizations to successfully raise money during challenging economic times. It suggests focusing fundraising efforts on recession-proof industries, utilizing online fundraising networks, providing excellent donor service, continuing cultivation of prospects, and rigorously researching prospective donors to determine their capacity and inclination to give. The conclusion emphasizes that while philanthropy may decline, the reasons people give do not change, and nonprofits need to work smarter with strategies like targeting the right industries and prospects.

1. Raising Money in Challenging Times: Strategies & Ideas for Success Robert Shechter May 2009

3. What is the Economic Reality? Wall Street Journal – 3/30/09

4. What is the Philanthropic Reality? Wall Street Journal – 3/30/09 Source: Giving USA Spotlight, Issue 3 2008 Inflation-adjusted total giving amounts based on Giving USA records for 1967 to 2007. The black bars indicate years with a month or more of recession. Giving does not go down during all recession years. It rose or stayed stable (adjusted for inflation) in 9 of the 15 years on record with at least one month of recession.

5. What’s the Forecast for Philanthropy? Wall Street Journal – 3/30/09 Source: Giving USA Spotlight - 2008 “ Philanthropy in a Turbulent Economy” Cygnus Research – Jan. 2009

6. What’s the Forecast for Philanthropy? Wall Street Journal – 3/30/09 Source: Giving USA Spotlight - 2008 “ Philanthropy in a Turbulent Economy” Cygnus Research – Jan. 2009

7. Some things never change… Wall Street Journal – 3/30/09 Source: Giving USA Spotlight - 2008 Donor ranking of important factors when making a gift… Source: Bank of America High Net Worth Philanthropy Study 2008