46% of Coloradans plan to trim giving

Nonprofits facing uncertain times as economy sours

By Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 4, 2008 at 8:49 a.m.
Updated December 4, 2008 at 11:55 p.m.

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A bright spot for nonprofits trying to raise funds: Most Coloradans plan to give as much - or more - during the economic downturn, according to a statewide survey released today.

At the same time, however, 46 percent expect to give less. That's because they're either strapped for cash or they need to support friends and family hit by the recession, according to data from the Colorado Nonprofit Association.

"It is typically a trend that people would start to hold back," said Sharon Knight, the association's interim president. "But the need is growing."

The trade group conducted the survey in October after the plunge in markets had begun.

It released the results along with its statewide report that provides a snapshot of how much Coloradans gave in 2006, the latest year for which tax returns were available.

The data show giving edging slightly lower in Colorado: $3.75 billion vs. $3.79 billion in 2005.

The release of the studies comes as the state's nonprofits make their big fundraising push, with some organizations depending on December donations for almost half of the revenue that comes from individual gifts.

"We are concerned that donations might be down," said Ruth Stemler, director of Operation Frontline Colorado. "We really rely on monetary and food donations, which people do at the end of the year."

Stemler said her agency has dealt primarily with the working poor, helping them to stretch food dollars and eat nutritiously. But now middle-income residents are signing up for courses because they have lost their jobs.

And that means some of the population most likely to give generously will need to cut back on their contributions. The survey again showed those making the least gave the highest percentage of their pay to charity.

In sheer numbers, Aspen topped the list for big gifts.

The average donor gave $17,400, according to the 2006 IRS data. In surrounding Pitkin County, the average gift of $15,632 was nearly double that of Prowers County, the second most generous at $7,239.

Challenge Aspen, based in Snowmass Village, said it has been seeing a good response so far to its annual appeal for money that helps fund its programs for disabled skiers, including Iraq war veterans.

"Everybody seems to agree with the fact that people are going to cut back in other areas before they cut back on giving," said John Klonowski, the nonprofit's development manager.

The survey showed donors favoring groups that meet basic needs such as food and shelter. Nonprofits focused on youth, education and religion follow.

Even those serving the homeless, however, are bracing for tough times.

"It's really incumbent on us to make sure our donors understand we're going to be the very best stewards of those precious dollars," said Terrell Curtis, executive director of The Delores Project, an emergency homeless shelter for women.

Curtis noted that foundations, which help fund many local nonprofits like her organization, took a big hit when the markets dropped.

"They're going to have less to give," Curtis said. "We think individuals are going to save the day. We're all going to be impacted by this economy, but the vast majority of us have a bed to sleep in at night."

For the Colorado Nonprofit Association's searchable database of area nonprofits and how to give, see generouscolorado.org.

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