2011 Charitable giving results remain robust.  April giving was up 2.4% over March and a significant 9.2% over April, 2010.  Year to date giving for 2011 is up 8.3% over 2010.  This strong result is being fueled by growing corporate success and a significant increase in stock values.

The updated charitable giving forecast has changed little.  The growth in giving is projected to begin slowing next month and continue to slide through year end.  Most troublesome is that the Fourth Quarter is currently projected to be down from Q4 2010.  Currently 2011 is forecast to finish with a 4.3% increase over 2010.

A combination of factors are driving the forecast down.  High prices for gasoline and food are sucking resources out of individual discretionary spending.  Continuing US deficit fears, along with the specter of interest rate increases, lingering high unemployment, and increasing election campaign fund raising are putting pressure on the charitable giving economy.

Nonprofit professionals should seriously consider moving fundraising promotions, events, and appeals to earlier calendar dates.  The current forecast suggests that the giving environment is best now and will continue to decline with each passing day.