Why Raise Taxes When You Can Raise Money? Governments Take a Dip in the Donor Pool - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active and engaged democracy.

Why Raise Taxes When You Can Raise Money? Governments Take a Dip in the Donor Pool - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active and engaged democracy.: A by-product of the Great Recession and the growing calls to restrain spending, governments at the state and local level are turning to traditional fundraising in a surprising number of ways. Of course, fundraising for public entities and services has happened for years, usually at arms-length via friends’ groups or foundations for state universities, libraries, parks and, increasingly, local schools. But as federal stimulus money ends and the economy continues its uneven path, state and local budgets remain embattled. Seeking private gifts, which are voluntary and convey the notion of marketplace approval, is a path increasingly being chosen or considered across the nation.

What Is Government up to?

Some government efforts are new and range from creative to questionable: