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Philanthropic organizations in the Northwest have become increasingly ambitious about solving global problems such as disease and poverty, but the economic downturn is putting the squeeze on their pocketbooks.

“When people’s portfolio net worth drops by 30 percent, things get tighter,” said Rick Beckett, chief executive of Global Partnerships, a Seattle-based nonprofit.

Many organizations are facing the turmoil on two fronts: volatile food and energy prices and tightening credit have hurt the poorest people they serve, while shrinking assets in the affluent world are making it tougher to find donors.

The economic crisis is forcing some groups to scale back or find creative ways to overcome shortfalls. “It’s a time for questioning what’s the best approach, and how does the nonprofit sector organize to do the work with limited resources,” said Molly Stearns, senior vice president of the Seattle Foundation. The organization, which supports other groups under its umbrella, has seen donations drop by 20 percent this year.

While many foundations have promised to honor their grant commitments, they’re reluctant to enter into new ones, said Beckett, “so it makes it a much tougher environment in which to do new things.”

The current financial meltdown hit at the start of the busiest fundraising season for many nonprofits, but it’s still too early to tell the full impact.

“My sense is it’s not that people quit giving, but if you used to give $10, you give $5,” said Mercy Corps Chief Executive Neal Keny-Guyer.

Not far from Wall Street, Mercy Corps opened an interactive education center last month focused on ending world hunger. The Portland-based charity won a bid to design and operate the space for the Battery Park City Authority.

The Action Center to End World Hunger aims to create “a physical experience that rocks and sings and can energize young people,” with a wall-sized interactive map of the world, tools to get involved and a video narrated by comedian Tina Fey, Keny-Guyer said.

Located so close to Wall Street, Mercy Corps hoped the financial industry would be a primary supporter. But the global financial crisis hit in the homestretch of a two-year capital campaign.

Mercy Corps has raised $6.5 million, about one-quarter of its goal. Despite initial interest from Goldman Sachs and others, a commitment from an investment bank has yet to materialize. “I would not say we’ve abandoned hope,” said Communications Director Joy Portella. “We’re just waiting to see how it shakes out.”

To support its project, Mercy Corps turned to Best Buy, the New York City government, and a private donor who is passionate about the cause.

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