When the economic recession hit in 2008, the Donors Forum of Wisconsin convened its membership to discuss how grantmakers were being affected by the economic crisis, and the broader implications for the social sector.

Based on the outcome of these meetings, Donors Forum of Wisconsin designed and facilitated a series of listening sessions in March 2009 for funders and nonprofit leaders to share strategies for ensuring that resources and services are available to meet community needs.

In all, over 115 organizations participated in these conversations. Several key themes emerging from these discussions provide perspective on how foundations and nonprofits are responding to the current economic downturn. The following is a compilation of the discussion that took place in the meetings. The listening sessions in March are a beginning point in an ongoing conversation between grantmakers and nonprofit leaders about the changing economic realities. It is the intent of the Donors Forum of Wisconsin to continue these dialogues as long as the sector struggles with an uncertain economy.