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"This is pre-eminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly.
Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great
nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper.

So first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear. . .is fear
itself. . . nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to
convert retreat into advance."

                                                                              Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1933

When the economy gets tough, people get scared - plain and simple. Google "Fundraising
in a recession" and you'll get 670,000 results.

Advice varies, depending on who is doing the giving. While many nonprofit pundits believe
that the best strategy is no strategy - that is, to stay the course of the fundraising basics
you've been weaned on - others believe you should adapt to the realities of a changing
economy, and as quickly as possible.

Frederick S. Lane writes, in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, that nonprofits should keep
costs down by cutting payroll, sometimes trimming programming, putting together
collaborative efforts with other nonprofits, and making general spending cuts.

Is it possible to "stay the course," survive, even prosper without making cutting either
your programming or your staffing?

It is if you learn to work smarter - not harder.

Begin by strengthening your case for support. Does yours read like a mission statement?
You need a strong compelling story, preferably real, rather than a composite, with
pictures. A story that tugs at the heartstrings and opens wallets. A story that could only
be told by your organization. Annual Appeal? If you've got donors who are giving you
$1,000, $100, even $25 every year, they're prime candidates for a monthly giving
program. Implement one now. And what rule says you can only mail once a year? Why
not twice or even three times a year? By the way, are you keeping your donors informed?
Because if the only time that they hear from you is when you want money …

Understand that foundation giving may be declining. On the other hand, it may not. Is
your organization making it a practice to routinely scope out new sources of foundation
funding? Develop a system where you're sending out proposals to new foundations on a
weekly basis.

Never ever cut back on development staff during tough times. Do your level best to keep
good development staff on board. Know that continuing education is a great motivator
and spend a little extra on development workshops and membership organizations. It'll
pay off.

About the Author

Pamela is the author of "Five Days to Foundation Grants." Check out her weekly blog,
"Towards Effective Nonprofit Writing" - http://writegrantproposals.blogspot.com/. Join
her Facebook group, Tools for the One Person Development Office at http://www.
facebook.com/group.php?gid=34636080193.
Fundraising in Tough Times by Pamela Grow