Big Nonprofits Expect 9% Drop in Donations This Year

A survey in the Chronicle of Philanthropy found that the 400 largest non-profit organizations in the nation, including prominent hospitals, are expecting a 9 percent decrease in donations in 2009, the steepest drop since the survey began 17 years ago, according to a report by the Boston Globe.

For example, Partners HealthCare System, which operates Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's hospitals, saw donations drop 21 percent in 2008, and while some other organizations, such as Harvard University, still had fundraising increases in 2008, many of them predicted a fall-off by 2010.

"These are the most successful charities," Stacy Palmer, editor of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, said in the report "If they are going to see a decline of 9 percent, the smaller, scrappier charities that don't have all that going for them are going to be having a much harder time."

Ms. Palmer predicted that it would take at least two more years for philanthropy levels to recover.

The Chronicle requires a payment to review its report.

Read the Boston Globe's report on falling donations.