A recent survey revealed a more difficult non-profit fundraising environment in the US. cMarket, which provides an online auction platform for non-profit fundraising, conducted the economic impact survey of charity auction managers across the United States who ran auctions between January and April of 2008. The survey was conducted between May 29 and June 3rd and comprised 255 respondents.

Results of the survey indicated that while the US is still in the early stages of the economic slowdown, 22% of respondents stated that they saw a decline in funds raised this spring compared to last year. Nearly all respondents are bracing themselves for an even tougher non-profit fundraising environment over the months to come.

Overall, auction administrators are finding it harder to get items, bidders are pulling back, a significant number are reporting attendance down at their galas, and corporate sponsors and commercial item donors are demanding more tangible marketing benefits in return for their underwriting:

• 67.5% report that the economy had a somewhat or very noticeable impact on their event;
• 67.5% say it is "somewhat" or "much more" competitive getting items from local merchants and 39% say merchants are getting more demanding for marketing benefits;
• 40% said that corporate sponsors are getting more demanding in asking for marketing/promotion benefits;
• 21% report lower attendance at this years gala, and 32% say those bidders who did participate were less active.

"We found that respondents were feeling the impact of the economy in many different ways," said Timothy Matthews, senior analyst, who led the project. "Even those whose auctions did well said they felt at least some softness, particularly on the supply side in terms of item donations and acquisition."

http://www.cmarket.com