As another year draws to a close:
Looking Back, Looking Ahead

By Jeffrey Byrne, President & CEO

As I write this, I am traveling back to my home in Kansas City from the annual meeting of the Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits. Our firm is fortunate to be one of 38 member firms that belong to this international organization, which has set the standards for fundraising consulting practices for more than 60 years.

As part of the meeting, we attended the Giving Institute’s Gurin Forum, a program endowed by one of the organization’s late founders to stimulate discussion on philanthropy. Moderated by Melissa Berman, President and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the topic was, “Are Charitable Dollars Really Getting Where They’re Needed Most?” Panelists included some of the greatest minds in American philanthropy: Pablo Eisenberg, Senior Fellow at the Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership at Georgetown University; Peter Goldberg, President and CEO of the Alliance for Children and Families; Dr. Susan Raymond, Senior Managing Director for Research, Evaluation and Strategic Planning for Changing Our World, Inc.; and Bill Schambra, Director of the Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal at the Hudson Institute.

Discussion centered on how strong a role the government should play in the everyday operations of nonprofits, and what nonprofits are doing to raise the standard of fundraising and service delivery models. Both conservative and liberal views were expressed in contrasting, yet thoughtful ways.

The nonprofit sector cannot be relied upon to fully fund the human service needs of our citizens. As was noted, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation does not have enough financial resources in one year to fund the social service needs of the entire safety net of organizations in California. And, the Gates Foundation is the nation’s and world’s largest foundation.

We know from research conducted by Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy that, during years with recessionary periods, giving generally goes down one percent. These are extraordinary times that we live in, and next June, when the Giving USA report is released for 2008, we’ll know if this trend has borne out for American giving this year.

As we enter the last month of what has ended as a troubling year, we must remain focused on our donor relations, communicating more with our donors, being flexible about donor payment options, and – above all – acknowledging the hurt and tremendous loss for our society.

We know that, throughout history, the markets and the economy have rebounded, and that Americans have continued to be generous to a multitude of organizations that need our volunteer time, our talent and our treasure.

As you near the end of the year, give thanks for your volunteers, clients and donors for all that they do to enrich our lives. We, too, keep you and them in our thoughts and our wishes for a prosperous and exciting new year.