Fund-raisers a little more optimistic as 2009 ends

People who raise money for a living are more optimistic about their prospects now than they were six months ago, reports
the Center on Philanthropy at IUPUI.

The center’s Philanthropic Giving Index stands at 71.1, an increase
of 8.7 percent since the summer.

The PGI increased 9.8 percent from a year ago.

The 12-year-old
PGI is akin to the Consumer Confidence Index because it’s reported on a scale of 0 to 100.

Although fund-raising
professionals feel more optimistic now, the PGI is still near its historic low, the Center on Philanthropy noted.

The center found the gloomiest outlooks among fund-raising consultants and people working at human-service charities.

Fund-raisers from educational and religious organizations were most optimistic about the present climate.