January 22, 2009 | Read Time: 1 minute
Will the inauguration of President Obama lead to bump in charitable giving?
Tom Belford thinks so.
On The Agitator blog, the fund-raising consultant predicts there will be an “Obama effect” for charities because the president has tapped into a vein of hopefulness and optimism, has pushed Americans to serve their communities, and has made steps to make his message bipartisan.
“So absolutely, I do think there will be a positive ‘Obama effect’ on nonprofit fund raising. It might not fully counter the harsh realities of recession, but it will certainly put most donors in a more positive, more receptive emotional state of mind. Thanks to Obama, gigawatts of fresh energy (and dollars) await out there to be harnessed by nonprofits,” he writes.
Indeed, a recent study has suggested that Mr. Obama has already spurred teenagers to want to get involved in public service.
What do you think? Will the new president help with fund raising? Click on the comment button to share your views.
