According to the Associated Press charitable giving by American’s fell by 2% in 2008 (as reported in a June 10, 2009 article*).   Reported categories include:

• Individual giving, down 2.7% (from 2007)
• Corporate giving down 4.5%
• Foundation grants up 3%
  -Religions organizations received a 5.5% increase over 2007
  -Educational organizations are down 6.5%
  -Arts/culture/humanities organizations are down 6.4%
  -International affairs (including relief and exchange) up .6%
  -Environmental and animal welfare groups are down 5.5%

* The report is based on research by Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy, including examination of some 400,000 federal tax forms.

We all anticipate a much higher decrease in 2009, but there are plenty of opportunities to keep your organization successful.  Make sure you’re personally “connecting” with current and prospective donors, managing overall expectations, and providing a value associated with their support.

Although you are in need, realize that these businesses and individuals may be as well.  Make sure you’re in a position to offer the recognition and marketing exposure they wholeheartedly deserve.

Quoted from Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle, April 18, 1942.

As we were watching Pearl Harbor the other night it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Why do I love what I do?  It’s in my heart.

I’m not a member of the Armed Forces, I couldn’t fathom the tenacity, bravery, heartbreak and pure pride affiliated with such a profession.  I’m simply a third generation northern Nevada gal interested in inspiring others to contribute.

I Googled “volunteer” and 87,700,000 opportunities presented themselves.  Since it’s such a broad search I went ahead and Googled our community, which consists of less than 15,000 year-round full time residents and found 23,700 search results.  Although it’s not about the numbers that pop up in an online Google search, I hope you get the point.

What is it you’ve done this month, year?  Some of you reading this couldn’t count on one hand how much you’ve done this week alone, although others may be desperate to get off this particular subject.

Local organizations I whole-heartedly support include Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, Trails and Vistas, Truckee Donner Land Trust, BEAR League, Grace Church of Reno, Girl Scouts of America, and the American Lung Association’s Open Airways for Schools asthma management program (to name a few).

I won’t belabor too long over how easy it is to give a few hours here and there, or mention how many organizations not only allow but encourage you to include your family.  I wont even tell you how amazing it is to watch your 8-year-old son serve soup to the needy, pull weeds on a trail or help you watch and play with children so their parents can attend a church service.  No, I wont do it.  Instead, I challenge you to give it a go yourself, go on, do it.