|
Increase in fundraisers sign of the times
Published October 22, 2009
While the pulse of our collective economic health remains tepid, those very ailments seem to be resulting in a much more robust civic involvement.
Tight budgets — or worse — for residents, businesses and local governments have left nonprofit organizations struggling to make ends meet.
According to The Bridgespan Group, 52 percent of nonprofit groups had reported cuts last November in funding. A survey by Bridgespan — a philanthropic agency that helps nonprofit groups make strategies and find executives — showed that number had increased to 69 percent in June.
So organizations are turning to fundraisers and volunteer power. Fundraisers have been a staple for some groups for years, but by necessity are growing in popularity with groups of all stripes — especially those once able to rely on donations or government funds.
Jane Long Elementary School in Freeport had its inaugural Harvest Fest on Saturday, and Principal Lorie Kloss said the fundraiser was able to involve the community while raising money for extra school programs, field trips and events the usual budget doesn’t cover.
One donation item is definitely on the rise: time. Many nonprofit organizations are finding people are more willing — or able — to give of themselves than from their wallets. Regardless of whether the response is because there’s so much more need out there or it’s the only way they can help during tough times, folks who once might have chosen simply to write a check are getting involved.
“In the past, we’ve had a hard time recruiting volunteers,” said Diane Poston, volunteer services coordinator at Brazosport Regional Health System in Lake Jackson. “Now we are seeing younger volunteers.”
Community involvement shows in other ways as well.
The West Columbia Volunteer Fire Department recently hosted a Fire Prevention Jamboree — its first major fundraiser since 1984. Firefighters sold barbecue plates, staged a raffle and demonstrated firefighting techniques. Officials said they sold 315 plates and three-fourths of 1,400 available raffle tickets.
West Columbia Mayor Laurie Kincannon said it was painful making a recent round of cuts, including financial backing of the local Little League. But she said there’s been an outpouring of events in which residents try to make up the difference — and maybe in the soil of hard times new traditions are sprouting up. She said the city has gone from maybe of handful of such events a year to something weekly.
“I want to get people out into the community,” Kincannon said. “We’ve gone from nothing going on to all kinds of things going on.”
While the recession might be easing for Wall Street, relief is slower in coming for those caught in the vise of lost jobs and home foreclosures. But the way folks have rallied to support their emergency responders, schools and charitable organizations has revealed the depth of grassroots support for these programs.
It’s an affirmation of the value of the causes, if you will, as well as a healthy indicator of area citizens’ values.
Today’s editorial was written by Glenn Krampota, features editor of The Facts.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print
|
|
|
 |
|
Click for all
Top Ads listing
|
