The financial downturn is making it difficult for charities, USA Today reports.

For one thing, many of the companies struggling financially donate to charities. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac contribute to charitable groups, but the companies' giving was on hold recently pending a review from the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Many charitable organizations depend on donations from Wall Street firms, industry and individual Americans — all of whom are feeling pressed economically.

"This is the worst fundraising environment I've ever worked in," Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer of the American Red Cross, told USA Today. Hurricanes, tornadoes and floods have diminished the group's disaster-relief reserves and donations are far from robust.

Other philanthropic groups are experiencing similar downturns. Lehman Bros., which filed for bankruptcy in September, was a major contributor to Doctors without Borders, an international group that provides emergency medical aid, as well as other causes.

The Big 3 automakers — GM, Ford and Chrysler — provided about 40 percent of overall giving for the United Way of Southeastern Michigan. "The Big 3 have been the biggest contributors, both corporate and individual employees. Both of these sides have really been impacted by the economy," said Doug Plant of United Way.

At the same time, groups like United Way are being asked to do more due to the general economic climate. Requests for housing aid have increased dramatically in Michigan, as has demand for groceries at local food banks in places like central Ohio.

Yet the overall picture is more encouraging. Foundation donations to nonprofits increased during four of the last five U.S. recessionary periods dating to 1980, according to the Foundation Center, which studies American philanthropy. The same group said that charitable giving decreased a little more than 1 percent in most of the eight recessionary years since 1971, according to the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

So there is hope. But Catholic Charities USA, the Meals on Wheels Association of America, the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries International all report declines in giving so far this year.

Yet Americans are known to donate generously to the charities of their choice. A hopeful note was sounded by Reynold Levy, president of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, who said: "If there is very substantial erosion in giving, it would be the first time in our post-World War II history."

Charitable giving is a good tradition to maintain, especially in trying times.