September 29, 2010; Source: Journal-Sentinel

The good news? Only 45 percent of the 143 Milwaukee nonprofits surveyed by the Public Policy Forum think that the economy will get worse, compared to 63 percent last year. But these graphs show the number of donors increasing while the amount taken in from donations decreasing, and that one-third of the nonprofits surveyed expect to run a deficit. This means donations are smaller. The deficits are projected despite the fact that, “Dozens of the agencies reported they cut staff, reduced salaries and eliminated benefits, or found other ways to reduce expenses, while revenue from donors decreased.” According to Ron Henken of the Public Policy Council, “In the 14-year history of the report, it’s the second-most dismal, but it’s appreciably more optimistic than 2009.”—Ruth McCambridge