GivingMatters.com - Giving in Hard Economic Times
In
this year, with the uncertainty of the economy, some may consider bypassing
charitable causes, yet these are the very times our community’s
needs are the greatest. So, please invest all you can in the nonprofits
that make Middle Tennessee home and the issues they serve.
Faces
The economy is so shaky. People I know have been laid off work. I recently had an internal monologue about keeping life simple and saving money. I almost talked myself out of making donations – just this year, when things are tight.
But many people need help. When my neighbors have rising fuel and
food bills, school uniforms to buy and tenuous job security, it is the
very time I need to be generous.
My mom always said, “giving is a privilege.” I give all I
can.
--Middle Tennessee Donor
GivingMatters.com Poll Results
At the end of 2008, GivingMatters.com users were asked, “Are you giving more this year because needs are greater in hard economic times?” They responded:
| 50% | Yes |
| 13.9% |
No |
| 36.1% | If I can |
Need in Middle Tennessee
According to the United Way 2-1-1 Help Line, January 2009 calls were up from the same period in 2008.
- Calls for utility assistance were up 63%.
- Calls for food were up 49%.
- Calls for job assistance were up 45%.
According to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Tennessee’s unemployment rate for January 2009 was 8.6%. Unemployment increased in all 95 counties in Tennessee.
The Nashville Metropolitan statistical area’s unemployment rate was 8% up from 6.5%. That was higher than the national average of 7.6% in January 2009.
Perry County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 27.3%.
- In 2007, 8,000 low-income children requested holiday gift assistance
through the Angel Tree program. In 2008, 10,000 requested
assistance (Salvation Army).
- Calls for emergency assistance and referrals are up 41% in 2008 (United
Way 2-1-1).
- Foreclosure filings in Nashville and Davidson County in the spring
of 2008 increased by over 125% compared to 2007 (The Housing Fund).
- Requests for food assistance have increased 10% (Second Harvest
Food Bank).
- The buying power of food stamps has decreased 7% (Second Harvest
Food Bank).
- Cat and dog adoptions have declined 15% compared to 2007 - a trickle
down of economic decline (Nashville Humane Association).
- The owner surrender rate for animals has increased 11% compared to
2007 - 8,202 cats and dogs. Requests for pet food assistance
have also increased (Metro Animal Care and Control).
- Requests for job training and employment are up 30% (United Way 2-1-1).
- More than 40% of working age adults had difficulty paying medical bills or accumulated medical debt last year (Commonwealth Fund).
Things to Remember When Giving
- Giving matters; the size of the gift is up to you.
- Giving makes us happy. A recent Harvard study concluded that
people who give to others are happier in life.
- Listen to your heart. Whether your interest is animals, the
environment or health, your gift can meet a pressing need.
- Research a nonprofit to support in GivingMatters.com. Learn
about their mission, programs and organizational strength.
- Call The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee if you need more information. We are here to serve donors, large and small. We can be reached at: 615-321-4939, 888-540-5200 or mail@cfmt.org. Or, visit us online at www.cfmt.org.
Return
to GivingMatters.com to learn about nonprofits addressing this issue.
