Advice on how to deal with a down economy is everywhere. Advice that you can act on is in shorter supply.  Here are specific things you can do when faces with cutbacks.

THE FINANCIAL IMPACT of the recession on non-profit may not be immediate, but it will come, and most likely before mid-year 2009.  It's critical for all of us to plan how we will respond.

Consultants have developed a list of 20 emergency funding ideas.  These are revenue sources that can be accessed quickly-usually within 30 days.  Not all of these sources are available to all nonprofits, and some of them carry great risk.  Nonetheless, we hope you find the list useful and thought-provoking.

Here are a few examples:

1. You may want to put together a quick-hit fundraising initiative with a re-pricing of your services.

2. Apply for funding from foundations that maintain emergency grant funds.

3. Reach out to other nonprofits with loan funds for cash flow purposes.

4. Reevaluate your investments.

5. Rent office space or equipment to others.

6. Spend down reserves.

To view the online List go to www.fieldstone.org

* 20 Emergency Funding Sources for Nonprofits.

* 20 Cost cutting Ideas-this is the other side of the finance equation; reducing expenses.

New Census Bureau data show that, when adjusted for seasonal variation, the national homeownership rate in the fourth quarter of 2008 (67.5%) was not significantly different from the rate in third quarter 2008 (67.8) or in the fourth quarter 2007 (67.8%).  Vacancy rates and homeownership rates have fallen since 2004.  In nonmetro areas, vacancy rates in both rental and homeownership units were statistically unchanged over the year.  Homeownership rates were statistically unchanged from fourth quarter 2007 to fourth quarter 2008 in the U.S. as a whole (67.5%) and in nonmetro places (75.4%). For more information visit:

www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/qtr408/q408ind.html

Comments sought on Changes to Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area Standards

The office of Management and Budget is considering recommendations from a review committee.  Comments are due April 13, 2009.  See Federal Register, 2/12/09 or www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/2009.aspx

Contact James D. Fitzsimmons, census Bureau, (301) 763-1465, pop.fr.notice@census.gov

The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation was created in 2002 to further the community building goals of The Home Depot.  The Foundation is dedicated to building affordable homes for working families that are healthy to live in and affordable to own.  The Foundation encourages developers to incorporate responsible design and use durable and quality materials to ensure that homes are more energy and water efficient.  Since this information the Home Depot Foundation has granted $70 million to nonprofit organizations and supported the development of more than 50,000 affordable, healthy homes.

For more information, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org

Congratulations

Sowing Seeds of Hope, in Marion, Alabama has closed their Section 523 Grant for $338,800.  They plan to assist 20 families in Perry County.