Oregon Community Foundation Releases Findings from a 2009 Survey of Nonprofits
The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) has released findings from an August/September 2009 survey of 134 Oregon nonprofit organizations about the impact of the economic recession on donations, demand for services, and cost-saving measures.
The findings from the sample include the following:
- Demand for nonprofits’ services has increased by 12% on average since July 2008.
- Education and social service organizations reported the largest increases in demand, averaging 17%.
- Private giving declined for about half of the organizations surveyed.
- 61% of arts and culture organizations and 54% of social service organizations saw contributions decline in 2009, while 41% of education and environment and civic engagement organizations saw contributions decline.
- 78% of survey respondents have implemented cost cutting measures to make up for lost revenue.
- Oregonians who are able to give are doing so. Comments from survey participants suggest that more donors are giving smaller amounts.
The survey findings have several implications:
- Donors have shifted support to different organizations in these hard economic times. For example, 61% of arts & culture organizations saw contributions decline while only 41% of education organizations that responded to the survey reported decreased donations in the first half of 2009 compared with the first half of 2008.
- Most nonprofit organizations are under some degree of fiscal stress, likely due in part to decreases in fee income and government revenue as well as declines in private contributions.
- Some nonprofit organizations have been able to increase contributions despite the recession. Survey responses suggest that many nonprofit leaders quickly took steps to balance organizational budgets while continuing to provide services.
To read the full report please click on the PDF icon below.
2009 Giving in Oregon Survey
About OCF
The mission of The Oregon Community Foundation is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy. OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about. Through these funds, OCF awards more than $60 million annually in grants and scholarships. Thousands of citizens have created a permanent endowment for Oregon through OCF – an endowment that will help Oregonians today and for generations to come.
To learn more about OCF please visit their website www.oregoncf.org
