Study Shows Confidence Dips among Fundraisers

A new study shows nonprofits are more uncertain than ever about their ability to raise funds. WFPL’s Elizabeth Kramer has more.Twice a year, Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy creates a Philanthropic Giving Index from its survey of nonprofit professionals. It’s similar to the Consumer Confidence Index.The current study shows their confidence levels near 65 percent. That's 27 percent lower than a year ago.The center’s Kim Gattle says that doesn’t mean that failure is necessarily imminent for nonprofits."Donors have a strong desire to give back to the community, and so give them different options. Don’t stop asking," she says.Gattle says that people will still give during recessions, but some groups will give at lower levels while some will increase their amounts.The study shows the current confidence level among fundraising professionals at its lowest level since 1998, when the center began the survey.Gattle says during touch economic times nonprofits need to focus on communicating specific issues to the public."Transparency of the organization is critically important to donors," she says. "And now even more than in the last decade, donors want to know how their money is used and is it being used in the most effective way."Gattle says good communication can keep current donors giving what they can afford now and stir others to give in the future.