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Will donors reprioritize their charitable giving? Date published: 7/6/2008
BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE Historian and author Paula Felder is passionate about the Fredericksburg area's history. But she recently wondered whether preserving the past is more important that saving another area resource--its people. So she chose to forgo donations to historic-preservation groups and gave money to social-services groups instead. When the city resident heard Fredericksburg had cut funding to Rappahannock Legal Services and that the nonprofit would have to drop its housing advocacy position, she donated $10,000. "I feel very strongly that we neglect the parts of our society that need it the most," Felder said. "When the times get tough, they cut out the people who need it the most." The legal-aid group has seen more clients walk through its door and less money coming in, said director Bill Botts. Rappahannock Legal Services' attorneys help low-income residents fight for disability, food stamps and custody payments. Staff members also work to prevent homelessness and to help with poverty issues. So far this year, the agency has seen an almost 50 percent increase in its caseload. In light of the demand for services and reduction in funding, Botts moved the agency to cheaper office space. Also, employees are looking for new contributors and more money from faithful donors, Botts said. Felder said she felt compelled to help after hearing stories from the group's homelessness-prevention paralegal, Ellyn Hartzler. Felder said that as much as she loves history, in a bad economy she believes money should go to groups working with the poor and the disabled before museums. And she's not alone. During recessions, donors often reprioritize their giving, said John Havens, associate director of the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College. The good news, he said, is that giving itself doesn't go down much. But often the wealthy, the biggest donors, will close their checkbooks to arts centers and museums. "Wealthy people often do give to those things when times are good," Havens said. "But there's reprioritizing when times get tough." A newly released study underscored that shift in priorities. The Giving USA report, which came out June 23, found donations to international aid, environmental and human-services groups rose the most. When the economy recovers, donors typically go back to their old giving habits, Havers said.
Date published: 7/6/2008
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