Post Sandy: Are Donors Tapped Out?

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Among our tips for donating this holiday season, is “don’t forget ‘non-Sandy’ charities.” What do we mean by that? Basically, we’re worried that with so much money flowing to Superstorm Sandy relief groups right before the holiday giving season started, that there might be less to go around to other charities. And that’s exactly what the Wall Street Journal is now.

Here’s what two charities told the WSJ about the donation fatigue they’re experiencing:

•  Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund – The storm delayed the charity’s launch of a year-end giving campaign and donations have “pretty much come to a halt.”
•  Fractured Atlas’ BEAT Festival – With fundraising down, the charity had conversations with its donors to find out why. It learned that many of them already made substantial donations to Sandy relief efforts and were experiencing “a bit of ‘ask’ fatigue.”

Unfortunately, the article backs up our fear that many donors are tapped out. So, we continue urge all donors to do what they can to maintain their levels of giving to groups that feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, protect the environment and support the arts.