Christian Community Networking

Late this summer, as thecountry’s economic slump entered its third year, Bishop Robert E. Girtman metwith the board of his church to discuss finances. The weekly collection oftithes and offerings, routinely $4,000 before the recession, had sunk to barely$3,000. Some members, newly jobless and ashamed, turned in tithing envelopesthat were empty. Others skipped church a few Sundays a month to avoid theawkwardness of having nothing to give.  (On Religion CongregationsReeling From Decline in Donations

BySAMUEL G.FREEDMAN -- Published: September 24, 2010)

Does this sound like your church, your non-profit organization, your group?  Have you relied a great part on the donationsof generous and/or sympathetic contributors? It’s a sign of the times and has been talked about, written about,ignored and feared for some time now.

In our present economic state as we witnessed the housing market crash,credit markets freeze and stock prices fall; food banks, animal shelters andother nonprofits such as the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross are allfeeling the pinch of the Donation Decline.

Is there a way out; is there a way to turn the tides?  Aside from the economy, what is makingdonations trickle in as opposed to flowing in as before?  These are questions that most organizations bothestablished as well as those starting out are asking themselves and others.

More than one-third of charities nationwide have seen a decrease indonations this year, and most charities report that fewer individuals aregiving now than they did a year ago, according to Guidestar, a researchorganization.   "A lot of our donorshave said, 'We love you. We want to contribute. But we can't as we have in thepast,' " said Gerald Koch, an "envoy" for the intermountaindivision of the Salvation Army

So you find that charities are doing all sorts of things to keepdonations flowing. Some are cutting back on their programs, but many others aretrying to get people to open their wallets wider than ever by creatinginteractive Web sites and intensifying their calls for help.  Many donors are now unsure of their ownfinancial futures and have resisted the entreaty to open their wallets wider nomatter what the cause.

So does the drop in giving portray a drop in involvement as well?  Yes it does, because people aren’t asinvolved.  This isn’t just a money thing,although society has made money the “Ruler of many lives”.  Many people feel that since they cannot give,they won’t attend church or meetings as often. They feel that the volunteering of their time is taking away from theirability to make more money or to find a job to replace what they lost.  The feeling of depression, failure andinability to do more with less keep people from volunteering their time, givingof their talents or themselves.

So with all the doom and gloom that’s been reported the question stillstands  “Is there a way to increasedonations that does not put a burden on our donators?”  My answer is a resounding YES thereis.  There is a way, one in whichyour donor base won’t feel the pinch of the economic times and won’t have tomake cuts in other parts of their lives to do it.  A way in which the donations flow into yourorganization on a consistent basis at the same time each month.  Passive donations that are steady and can befactored into the overall budget of your organization and taking nothing awayfrom your donors, but making them feel as if their contributing a lot.

East Coast Green Energyhas a way that your contributors can contribute to you each and every monthwithout taking any money out of their budget or their stopping them fromseeking other means to replace the finances they have lost in their ownhomes.  A way of in which while helpingyou, they are also helping the environment. It’s a win - win situation for all.

Take a look at our website, then contact us so that we can set up ameeting via phone or in person.  Settingup this fundraising opportunity takes only 30 minutes of your time and hasmonths and years of rewards.

East Coast Green Energy