WSET.com - ABC13Long Road To Recovery For Non-Profits

Reporter:  David Tate

Roanoke, VA - We are seeing more signs that the economy is starting to recover, however, non-profits across the nation are continuing to brace for several tough years ahead.

The most recent numbers out by the Nonprofit Research Collaborative show while giving to charities is once again starting to climb, non-profits as a whole, still have several years to go before things once again resemble a pre-recession environment... and that's once the economy recovers.

"Our food donations are down too. We're trying to make due the best we can," said Tim Williams who runs Roanoke's RAM House where they continue to feel the crunch while feeding people 365 days a year.

In fact, like RAM House, 59% of all non profits nationwide are just staying even or doing worse, pulling in funds, than in 2010.  A mere five percent drop from last year.

Which is forcing non-profits to continue making due with less, including asking more from volunteers like John Guidi.

"It's a rough world out there and we knew that. That's why we wanted to help where we could," said Guidi.

"Just because we feel fortunate in where we are in today's world and we know there's a need out there for help and we have the time."

But what is really out of balance is the number of people seeking services.  So while the number of those giving is starting to recover, those in need continues to climb at a much higher pace.

"If 2010 and 2011 are any indicator of what's going to be coming up for 2012... we're looking at larger numbers," said Gail Strickler of the Roanoke Rescue Mission.

To understand how much the need has increased:  30% of those non profits polled say services requested stayed the same while 65% reported an increase in requests over 2010.