In times of recent financial crisis’ in our country, non-profits have usually experienced a surge in giving, especially for those that provide basic services of food, shelter and clothing. It seems that people knew and understood that help was needed to get through times of great stress and economic downturns. This time, however, it feels different.
A recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy (January 15, 2009) suggests that extra or emergency incentives are needed at this time to entice more people to give. Some of the solutions mentioned in the article have been discussed many times before, such as letting people who do not itemize their tax deductions claim a deduction for charitable giving.
Other more creative ideas discussed in the article include expanding service programs like AmeriCorp that can mobilize mass numbers of unemployed college graduates and others who have been laid off from some of the hardest hit professions into those NPO’s that provide basic services in communities throughout the country, including teaching. While others include temporarily relieving individuals and foundations of tax burdens when giving more to charities (in particular those that specifically help with the economic recovery) and raising the mileage deduction rate for travel expenses for non profit volunteers.
Unusual times require unusual solutions.
