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A Pinch of Salt by Harry Saltzgaver

I was at a benefit Monday for the Conservation Corps of Long Beach (they were honoring Phil Hester, one of the truly good guys in the city), when the conversation turned to the difficulties of raising money in a recessionary economic climate.

The Conservation Corps soiree did just fine. But I discovered that the Special Olympics Golf Tournament was having trouble attracting players — something I’ve already seen in several tournaments this year. Tickets to galas are tougher to sell as people feel compelled to cut back in the face of soaring gas and food prices, coupled with economic uncertainty at work.

Company sponsorships are harder to come by, too. Prudent CEOs (or publishers) must pay closer attention to expenses, and a sponsorship is an expense no matter how worthy the cause.

Actually, I think we’re in a nebulous half-way economic situation, where things aren’t so bad that people feel compelled to give, but are bad enough that the giving hurts a little more than usual. In other words, those who still have something to give in a depression are more apt to give it than they were when it was just a recession.

I know it feels like I’ve been the subject of more pitches for support — personally and professionally — than I was last year. I think that’s really just a perception. The need remains the same; it’s just that the resources to fulfill that need have tightened considerably.

For example, I’m really glad we aren’t starting the Tot Lot fundraising today. I think people would still be generous, just maybe not quite as generous as they were last year.

So what’s a nonprofit to do? The vast majority of nonprofit workers (volunteer or paid) I know are simply gearing up to work harder. I know I’ve doubled the list of people I will contact for a fall fund-raising dinner I’m helping to organize.

There are a few other things that might help. For example, do something different — the Conservation Corps did a progressive dinner with three restaurants. The Cancer League does an old-West-themed Cattle Baron Ball. You get the idea.

There’s always the honoree route. Give an award to someone popular (or a company with money), and they’ll automatically fill seats. Of course, it’s a good idea for it to be a legitimate award to maintain credibility (Hester’s award was for helping youth in the city — a no-brainer).

But most important is the effort to get the word out. I’ve been playing in the Special Olympics Golf Tournament for years, and went looking for an entry this year. But I only heard last night that they were still trying to fill spots — and the tournament is less than two weeks away.

I think we (that’s the editorial we) can help here. We have a weekly feature in the Grunion called For A Good Cause. It lists all of the events we are aware of people can participate in while helping a good cause.

What I’d like to do is urge all of you nonprofit types to get your information to us well in advance, and we’ll start publicizing it. I’ll try to see that it gets into the Downtown Gazette as often as space permits, and the column runs in its entirety on our Web site, www.gazettes.com.

Then I’d like to urge all you philanthropic types, or those of you just looking for a good time, to read the column. You can find plenty of ways to have fun and feel good about yourself at the same time.

There are myriad good causes in Long Beach, doing the work that makes this city a great place to live. We help ourselves when we help each other. That’s always important, but maybe just a little more important now.

Open your hearts, and your wallets. Please.