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This paper provides some tips for creative giving to help donors meet the high level of need in their communities and continue to have impact even with reduced dollars available for charitable giving. While these strategies can be applied during the current economic environment, they stand the test of time and can be built upon as the economy and giving budgets recover.

Meeting significant charitable goals efficiently creates a disproportionate need for the characteristics inherent in liquid, public securities. Increasing the allocation to liquid asset classes from 29% to 75% on a tax-managed basis can generate comparable returns to the endowment model after taxes while maintaining the flexibility needed to handle cash flow interruptions and changes in markets, tax regimens and personal goals.

Ecological agriculture is pre-programmed to generate superior climate change performance as measured by soil organic matter, biodiversity, carbon sequestration and materially reduced GHG emissions. This also generates significant opportunities for creating additional and attractive income streams from environmental markets, according to new research from Agro-Ecological Investment Management.

This report from Credit Suisse examines historical trends for philanthropy during economic downturns and explores the effects of the current recession on funders and non-profits. It also provides a series of recommendations for philanthropists and their advisors on grantmaking during the downturn. While based on U.S. data, many of these recommendations are relevant to individuals and organizations globally.

New philanthropists – ultra-wealthy individuals interested in being informed, strategic givers – have been growing in profile, and donations have been increasing. This paper from New Philanthropy Capital explores the opportunities for new philanthropists and established foundations to collaborate, the benefits of such collaborations, and the ways in which they might work.

Despite difficult economic times, a new generation of wealthy, socially aware individuals is giving more to their favorite causes. A research report from Barclays describes these individuals as more global in outlook, more ambitious in trying to effect social change, more impatient in reaching charitable goals, more demanding of accountability by charities and more willing to take measured risks in giving.

The authors explore the impact of the current economic downturn on philanthropy and provide recommendations for philanthropists and their advisors on charitable giving during these difficult times. Case studies show how a range of entrepreneurial philanthropists are responding to the challenges brought about by the recession.

Organizations that invest in leadership development perform better than those that don't. Challenging economic times underscore this fact even more, according to independent reports collected by the Center for Creative Leadership. Studies show investment in leadership development improves financial performance, attracts and retains talent, drives a performance culture and increases company agility.

The new administration has turned 2009 into a year of changes in state, gift and income tax laws – and more changes are expected before the year ends. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) provides an update on the extension of the IRA charitable rollover as well as changes to the gift tax annual exclusion, the generation-skipping transfer tax, and family partnerships and valuation discounts.