Grant-funded agencies? Get ready for rough waters!

The latest from Financial Advisor:

Foundations To Cut Grants in ‘09

Market losses last year have prompted U.S. foundations to cut back on their planned donations in 2009, according to a new survey.

Of the 350 foundations surveyed, about half suffered portfolio losses of 20% or more in 2008 and 30% endured losses of between 10% and 20%. Just 12% of the foundations broke even or achieved gains in their portfolios.

The joint survey by Citi Institutional Consulting and the Association of Small Foundations (ASF) also found that more than 60% of the foundations plan to reduce their grant budgets by between 10% and 50%. Some foundations said they will no longer accept new grant applications or designate new grantees, and will avoid multi-year commitments.

Most foundations said they foresaw few changes in their asset allocations and would continue with their long-term investing strategies, according to the survey.

“In the face of very challenging circumstances, our members are trying to minimize the damage to their foundations and maximize the ability to fulfill their missions," said Tim Walter, CEO of ASF. "What this tells us is that small foundations are doing their utmost to balance responsiveness and prudence."

Is it really the economy, stupid?

The aptly named Fundraising Success brings out another strong article on donor development

I'll admit, I've been tempted to blame the economy for what I see as a very slow year despite some really amazing improvements in my organization's development efforts.

This article from Randy McCabe, founder and CEO of MPower, slapped some sense back into me:

Five Tactics to Rev Up Fundraising in a Down Economy at FundRaising Success

I think the article is good, so I won't post it here in the hopes that you'll click above. But here are the five tactics that the article outlines:

1. Connect with your donors’ pain.
2. Call mid to major donors now.
3. Begin year-end campaigns in September with installment options.
4. Use alternative giving vehicles.
5. Focus on segmentation and target total net income (not return on investment or revenue).

Read the full article here:
http://www.fundraisingsuccessmag.com/story/story.bsp?sid=132501&var=story

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Will Boone Pickens and Al Gore join forces to save America?

I am amazed by what I am seeing from legendary oilaman T. Boone Pickens at his new Web site, PickensPlan. In brief, Mr. Pickens proposes to wean America from its addiction to oil in ten years. Check it out here:

http://www.pickensplan.com/

His message sounds shockingly similar to that of his political opponent, Al Gore, whose Democratic party was derailed in its attempt to elect John Kerry by Mr. Pickens' Swift Boat campaign. Check out Al Gore's plan here:

http://www.wecansolveit.org/

Or, watch the videos below.

T. Boone Pickens' Plan


Al Gore's Plan
(this video appears to be having some issues, so watch it here:
http://www.wecansolveit.org/pages/al_gore_a_generational_challenge_to_repower_america/

Hey, grant writers -- new Web site provides data on Texas economy

The Dallas Business Journal reports that the State of Texas has launched a new Web site to assist with economic development:

"A newly launched Web site aims to connect businesses, local governments and economic development officials with data and resources for expanding economic opportunity in Texas.
The site, operated through the Texas Comptrollers Office... offers a variety of economic data and analysis including snapshots of key Texas industries and economic sectors, detailed explanations of tools available to assist local governments in economic development initiatives and rankings of where Texas falls in comparison to other states in key arenas.

Read more here.

Or, just visit the site at :
www.TexasAhead.org

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