One of a series of articles focusing on nonprofits, needs, and people helping.

First of two parts. See part 2, “Economic downturn not the only challenge for regional philanthropy”

By MICHELE MILLER HOUCK
DavidsonNews.net

A tale of philanthropic woe spun out across the Charlotte region during 2009. The litany of fund-raising shortfalls and funding cuts at non-profit agencies was surpassed only by the pressure of growing need amid the economic downturn.

The Financial Times reports government funding of non-profits in North Carolina and Charlotte-Mecklenburg was down 5 to 10 percent. Funding organizations United Way of Central Carolinas and Arts & Science Council saw pledges fall 37 percent and 33 percent, respectively. Corporations, foundations and individuals are giving as little as 5 percent and as much as 30 percent less than they did last year. Read the full story

Wilson Sadler (left) of the Davidson Fire Department and Davidson Police Sgt. Scott Misenheimer invite you to stop by Town Hall and pick up a tag for the departments' angel tree. (Picture Elegance Photography)

Police and firefighters have 2 locations this year

Davidson police and fire departments are soliciting donations for their annual holiday Angel Tree, which this year is expanding to two locations to respond to an expanding need. The Angel Tree provides needed clothing and wished-for toys to local families during the holiday season.

Trees and collection centers for gifts and donations this year include Davidson Town Hall Rotunda, 216 S. Main St., and St. Albans Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane. The Ada Jenkins Center identify and assist families in need. Read the full story

Runners leave the start of the Sigma Phil Epsilon 5K Turkey Trot, a benefit 5k road race Saturday morning in downtown Davidson. (Bill Giduz photo)

Just over 100 runners registered for a 5K road race in downtown Davidson Saturday morning to raise money for the Free Clinic of Our Towns. The Turkey Trot, organized by the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity collected $4,000 for the clinic, which is at Ada Jenkins Center.

Read about that and other upcoming fund-raisers in our Nov. 18 “Fund-Raisers” column.

Davidson College students rake a South Street lawn Saturday morning in exchange for donations to the campus Habitat for Humanity chapter. The fund-raiser continues the next two weekends. More benefit events in our Fund-Raisers calendar, in The Guide. (David Boraks photo)

More benefit events in our Fund-Raisers calendar, in The Guide. CLICK HERE>

A “Jail & Bail” fund-raiser for a scholarship fund will bring dozens of NASCAR personalities and their fans to the Brickhouse Tavern in Davidson next week. Meanwhile, this week’s schedule has fund-raisers for a variety of organizations, including Davidson United Methodist Church missions, Autism Speaks, Care, ALS research, United Family Services and McKinney Academy.

Tonight (Wednesday), the Davidson College Symphony performs the first of a planned series of “Concerts for a Cause,” this time for the Hole in the Wall Gang camps. And Thursday, the newly opened Sanctuary Gallery on Main Street hosts a grand-opening with a silent auction fund-raiser for Davidson-Cornelius Day Care. Read the full story

World Habitat Day is Monday, focusing on housing worldwide. Above, the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo by Habitat for Humanity/Steffan Hacker)

A Giving Spirit Foundation presents its 2nd annual Autumn Family Fest this Saturday, Oct. 3, on the green at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. Also below, details about the Davidson Housing Coalition’s Ride for Hope & Housing, also on Saturday. We also have news about upcoming events to raise money for Easter Seals, Barium Springs Home for Children, the Hole in the Wall Gang camps, United Family Services, and a NASCAR-related charity aimed at women in the automotive business. Also, info about Monday’s World Habitat Day 2009, and tomorrow’s (Wednesday, Sept. 30) dining fund-raiser for Cornelius Animal Shelter‘s wellness program.

Read the full story

A variety of fund-raisers in September – from a Village Green parenting fair to CVS car washes to golf tournaments to an evening of theater – will help raise money for health care, parenting programs, Easter Seals, Davidson Community Players and the soon-to-be-opened Cornelius Animal Shelter. Find out more in our fund-raising calendar … Read the full story