The venerable and respected Guidestar reported recently that the hard times of 2009 might be even worse for 2010 already.  More than 7000 organizations responded to the survey. I took it on behalf of my own organization and know it to be a well constructed collection of data. The trends we found in the SOS survey of community organizing groups are verified by what the non-profit sector in general is facing. 63 percent of nonprofits faced a rise in demand for services.  At the same time, 30% faced a decline in budgets. More work, less funding is a common thread. While our own study showed 4% closed or near closing at the time of survey, the Guidestar finding is 8% danger of imminent closing.

The June 2010 Effect of the Economy on the Non-Profits Sector is available online. It is produced with dramatic graphics to emphasize the findings.

Walter Davis, National Organizers Alliance, September 14, 2010