Survey says 54 percent of nonprofits said they are raising less money than a year ago.
In an article written by Andrea Ball, staff writer for Austin’s American Stateman, it is reported that 54% of
all nonprofit organizations (that is your local charities) in Texas said they lost donations in the past year. And yet, 66 of 100 area nonprofits reported an increase in demand for services. Nearly 20 percent said they had laid off staff, and another 10 percent said they planned to do so within the next year. Another 18 percent said they were worried they would have to shut their doors.
The snapshot of local philanthropy echoes what nonprofits across the country are saying: A recent report by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University said 86 percent of fundraisers surveyed by that group reported that the economy is having a negative effect. Meanwhile, a study by Guidestar — a national group that studies nonprofit trends — showed that 52 percent of those it surveyed raised less money than the year before.
I don’t know about you, but all of this negative news makes me want to do something totally off the charts – it makes me want to become ridiculously generous. I want to give until what God is doing through me is a total God-thing. It's off the chain. I want to give with no strings attached. I want to give until it makes a huge impact in the lives of the people I serve.
Dino Rizzo said in his book, “Ridiculous generosity is what each of us have received from Jesus Christ. He is our example. And, He is an example of extreme giving.” It can’t be stated better than that. God’s ultimate gift of generosity was given to us who were immeasurably unqualified to receive it and you know what – He gave it in spite of our need. He gave His best gift because of our need.
If you are happy serving up your regular portion of generosity… by all means, keep doing so. Regular generosity is tithing, or serving once a month in a volunteer position and, we thank God for you, as I said keep it up. But, if bad news stirs you up to become an extraordinary person – then join me in becoming a radical giver. I am going to find someone who really has a need and I am going to fill it. I want to be the expression of God’s love to someone else. I am going to give to people who feel like their life has been disqualified and they cannot give me anything in return.
Now, I know some of you are probably thinking I need therapy…. But watch out, I have been loaded with benefits that are not my own and I have been given this word of promise, “Blessed is he who considers the poor.” Come on, let’s go radical on NEEDS.
