Economic worries and cutbacks in government spending. Both are factors now affecting local non-profits.

Leaders of Hawaii non-profits anticipate fewer dollars from government grants and less money from private donations. About 300 organizations met at a conference in Waikiki Wednesday.

They discussed fund-raising challenges and changes to tax laws.

When the economy is tight and unemployment tends to go up and people are losing their jobs, they turn to non-profit organizations to help them.

"So at the very time where money is tight is when non-profits need to expand to provide services to these folks," said Diana Aviv of the Independent Sector.

On average, non-profits depend on government grants for about 30 percent of their operating budgets.

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