More grim news about the economic situation we find ourselves in: The stock market rose by some 28 points on the news that ONLY 20,000 jobs were shed in February (as opposed to 60,000 in January). Our readers are well aware of the situation, of course. And all economics, like politics, are local as we each work through our situations from where we find ourselves right now. Which goes for the nonprofit sector as well, although that sector tends to be a ‘lagging indicator,’ as private benefactions and government support are planned and divvied in advance. Thus most nonprofits probably do not feel the greatest strain until the allocated funds run out, which could be months into the economic trough.
The Obama Administration and the Recovery Act of 2009 did not expressly set out to assist the nonprofit sector, but IndependentSector.org is lobbying for $15 million in ‘bridge funds’ to assist nonprofits through the immediate crises. According to Independent Sector’s proposal, “the program would preserve the full-time jobs of over 300,000 individuals in the next two years, and thereby maintain services to at least 7.8 million people in need.” Which seems a pretty good value, especially in contrast to the $700+ billion TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) that seems to have saved the jobs of a few hundred investment bankers and their drivers. Indeed, recent reporting has stressed how stunningly lopsided the unemployment figures are depending on where on the economic spectrum the income earner was working (as the clickable chart to the left demonstrates).
Of course, nonprofits are still doing their good work, and, as we have reported earlier, they are the one growing sector of the economy (even if ‘modestly’). To help those in the Baltimore-Washington region continue their above-average growth, ArtezInterAction will be hosting a one-day seminar on 30 March. The seminar has a number of guest speakers who will share their experiences with fundraising for both nonprofits and startup ventures. According to the website:
ArtezInterAction 2010 will deliver the following highlights
• A one day conference featuring thought leaders in the fundraising and nonprofit sector
• Identify strategies on how to boost your online fundraising programs
• Share innovative ideas on how to effectively raise more money using online solutions
• Opportunity to network with peers and leading fundraising professionals
An ‘early bird special’ of $129 is available ONLY UNTIL 5 MARCH. But you also get a notable discount if you register 3 or more colleagues from one organization.