Conversations and the Economy

Webpage with resources related to the sector and the current economy - Foundation Center – Focus on the Economy

Council on Foundations - Economic Exchange - Click here to read a collection of national articles, blogs and conversations about techniques and strategies grantmakers are employing to help weather the economic downturn.

For nonprofits, the current federal and state government system of cost-reimbursement contracts, instead of grants, has strained service providers to the breaking point, according to a new report featured in The Chronicle.

The economic downturn and declines in new gifts serve as bleak omens for donor-advised funds this year. Read the transcript from a recent online discussion on this topic.

A new report compiled by the National Council of Nonprofits, details how nonprofits are employing a number of strategies, including layoffs and program cuts, to improve their chances of surviving the current economy.

Kathleen Enright, C.E.O. of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations recently authored a message to grantmakers about responding to the impact of federal stimulus dollars on nonprofits. 

A recent survey by IBM indicates that a significant number of business leaders believe effective corporate citizenship may be what is needed to help companies grow new revenue streams, control costs and improve social outcomes.

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations publication, “Smarter Grantmaking in Challenging Economic Times.”  This briefing offers foundation leaders insights on how to minimize the impact of the economic crisis on the people, causes and organizations they support.

Endowments held by the 229 organizations in The Chronicle's annual survey lost a combined $29.1-billion in 2008, and alternative investments proved only a modest buffer against the decline.

Grantmaking by corporate foundations held steady last year and is expected to fall this year, a new report says. Grants awarded by corporate foundations in the U.S. totaled $4.4 billion in 2008, up 0.8 percent from 2007, but down about 3 percent after adjusting for inflation.

With state and local governments strapped for cash, they are increasingly looking for new sources of revenue — including imposing fees on nonprofit groups.

President Obama plans to stick to his proposal to cap the federal tax breaks wealthy people can get for itemized deductions, including charitable donations, when he submits the final piece of his budget plans.