GIVE A KID A COAT!
OUR GREEN INITIATIVESCurrent Economic Climate
The current economic crisis, as everyone knows, is the worst since The Great Depression. Its impact on this country is devastating. Charitable giving has fallen by the largest amount in 53 years. Some experts are estimating that it may take three years or longer before giving recovers to the same levels before the economic downturn.
Foundations, who suffered more than any other group, have seen a 22% decline in giving. Social services groups raised 16% less money last year. So nonprofits now have to do more with less. All that in the face of increased need, 54% of human services organizations, surveyed by Giving USA, saw an increased need for their services in 2008. Over half of the organizations that work to provide for basic needs, such as food, shelter and clothing, indicated they are underfunded for 2009.
This of course has impacted Operation Warm; we are watching expenses, reducing costs, where possible, and improving the efficiency of our operations. At the same time, we work to continue to offer innovative programs and new initiatives designed to provide coats to children in new communities that need our services.
Source: Giving USA Foundation, June 2009
