Some local non-profit organizations have felt the impact
of the economic downturn in their fundraising efforts.
According to a national survey by the Giving USA
Foundation, overall charitable giving was down 2 percent
in 2008 and that social service agencies saw a more than
12 percent drop in donations. Jim Hibma is the executive
director of Crossroads of Pella. He says they've seen
about a 10-12 percent decline in donations. Martha Zylstra
is the executive director of Crisis Intervention Services.
She says they've also seen a decline in monetary donations
but adds that more people are offering to donate time or
household items.