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As donations drop, nonprofits forced to get creative

Posted November 12th, 2008 by Dave Culver

The economic downturn is putting the squeeze on philanthropic organizations. "When people's portfolio net worth drops by 30 percent, things get tighter," said Rick Beckett, chief executive of Global Partnerships, a Seattle-based nonprofit.

Kristi Heim, Seattle Times

Philanthropic organizations in the Northwest have become increasingly ambitious about solving global problems such as disease and poverty, but the economic downturn is putting the squeeze on their pocketbooks.

"When people's portfolio net worth drops by 30 percent, things get tighter," said Rick Beckett, chief executive of Global Partnerships, a Seattle-based nonprofit.

Many organizations are facing the turmoil on two fronts: volatile food and energy prices and tightening credit have hurt the poorest people they serve, while shrinking assets in the affluent world are making it tougher to find donors.

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