Wake Up, NY Times!

We have been dealing with an economic crisis for three years that reminds me of Washington, D.C.’s travails this August – earthquake, hurricane, political turmoil. Today’s Jobs Report is more of the same. Today, many nonprofits are suffering the effects of the recession -- they find themselves in a liquidity trap!
Wednesday’s NY Times business section carried an article entitled “A Philanthropic Recession” – yoo hoo, where have you been living these last few years, under a rock? The focus of the article was John Hope Bryant, who founded Operation Hope, a nonprofit organization supporting financial education centers. Mr. Bryant, who has a salary of $300,000, laid off 14 staff people in response to a short fall in corporate donations. The same yoo hoo question could have been asked of Mr.Bryant. In 2008, I and nonprofit advisers world-wide were warning of “Recession Suicide.” http://publicinterestfundraising.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html
To bear real fruit — in the way it took Amazon six years to turn a profit — charities must invest more time, talent, effort and money in fundraising, not less. Does every body hear this?

Listen up: Below is the first batch of free advice from my professional fundraising colleagues: What four tips about fundraising would you give in today’s economy?

1. Speak from the heart when asking for donations. (If you don't care about your cause, no one else will.)

2. Diversify your donor-base. What market area have you missed?

3. Utilize some sort of online donation system. Convenience for donors is essential.

4. Don't despair. Donors understand development work must continue regardless of the recession!