Decline in donations to local charities follows national trends

It's a common story in an economy that has turned a lot of haves into have-nots.

A Southeast Missouri couple buys a home. Then the husband, a bricklayer, loses his job and the couple struggles to survive on the wife's income and his unemployment check.

For the first time, this hard-working couple, charitable in the past, needs the help of a charity to get by. They turn to the Salvation Army to help pay their utility bills.

"This is a guy who has worked forever, " said Maj. Ben Stillwell of the Salvation Army of Cape Girardeau.

Stillwell said the organization welcomed a lot more men, women and families in need, in its 2009 fiscal year that ended in August. Stillwell said need is greater than he has seen it in the five years he's served in Cape Girardeau, and a growing number of the needy are coming from those once in a position to give.

So perhaps it's not surprising that donations to the nation's biggest charities sank 11 percent last year, according to a new report from the not-for-profit Chronicle of Philanthropy. The independent news organization's annual Philanthropy 400 ranking of the entities that raise the most from private-sector sources found fundraising posted its deepest decline in the two decades of the publication.

"The [not-for-profit] world tends to lag behind the rest of economy," said Chronicle spokesman Michael Solomon, who said charities are feeling the strain of the last recession, its effects still lingering.

Giving to the United Way Worldwide, the top U.S charity, was down 4.5 percent, while Salvation Army's contributions fell 8.4 percent.

The United Way of Southeast Missouri has trimmed back its fundraising goal this year, to $1,019,744. Last year's goal was $1.2 million, which netted $1,142,858. That ultimately effects the many programs the umbrella organization supports.

Cheryl Klueppel, executive director of the American Red Cross-Southeast Missouri Chapter, said the charity's loyal donors are confronted with tough choices.

"When donors have economic hardships we see them stay loyal to the Red Cross, but they give less frequently and they're not able to give as much," she said.

Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri in Cape Girardeau, like other service agencies, is feeling the pinch of shrinking government budgets. The Missouri Legislature cut $300,000 in Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits from the organization, which serves 15 Southeast Missouri counties. The credits are an added incentive for donors.

Despite the obstacles, the agency is on track to post a 12-percent increase in donations this year. But Melody Anderson, director of regional development, said Southeast Missouri is the exception to the rule and that the times have called for longer hours and more creative means.

"For every one person you used to talk to, you probably have to talk to five to get" a donation, Anderson said.

U.S. charities won't see an uptick in giving anytime soon, Solomon said.

"Most are expecting to be flat next year, but flat next year would be considered a very good year," he said. "That's the new reality."

mkittle@semissourian.com

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