Two area nonprofits have changed their campaigns to keep up with hard economic times.

Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners and the Intercongregational Communities Association are both trying new tacks in their fundraising drives this year.

IOCP, which provides help to families unable to pay rent, purchase groceries, find work or arrange transportation, set a goal of $2 million to meet the needs of a thousand families by Dec. 23. During the 2008 campaign, IOCP also had a $2 million goal but raised $1.4 million.

The campaign fundraising got off to a fast start this year, but IOCP officials often find that the middle weeks of the campaign are the most challenging.

So, after hosting their usual Sleep Out to kick off their fund drive -- an event which brought out more than 500 people on Nov. 14 -- IOCP officials have arranged for a series of mid-campaign fundraising events.

In the past, the organization hosted mid-campaign luncheons at its headquarters for 10 to 15 donors. This year, it's asked those donors to host house parties and invite friends, colleagues and neighbors to hear more about what the organization does, said Lenore Franzen, communications director at IOCP.

"It's proving effective," Franzen said. One mid-campaign party brought in $60,000.

As of Monday, the campaign had garnered about $735,000, which is $25,000 ahead of collections last year at this time, said Jill Kohler, IOCP development director.

To reach its goal, the nonprofit has to keep up its current fundraising pace. While most of the donations come in near the end of the campaign, which will continue into the beginning of 2010, Kohler said the organization needs to maintain its momentum.

"It's always a challenge to keep this fresh and in front of people," she said.

The Wayzata-based organization also serves western Plymouth, Medicine Lake, Long Lake, Orono, Medina, Hamel and Minnetonka Beach.

ICA donations

Meanwhile, the Intercongregational Communities Association based in neighboring Minnetonka and Excelsior reported contributions totaling almost $123,000 as of Monday, thanks to a surge in donations during the past week.

Last week, contributions had been lagging 20 percent behind 2008 totals, at about $72,000, and Executive Director Cathy Maes was concerned.

The organization's goal is to raise $200,000 by Jan. 1 for its Housing Crisis Prevention Fund. That's the same goal as last year's, which it met. The ICA serves Minnetonka, Excelsior, Hopkins, Deephaven, Greenwood, Shorewood and Woodland.

To boost fundraising during December, Maes said the ICA this year is seeking more donors giving smaller amounts. She said the organization is posing the challenge: "What if we all gave $5?"

Maes said the organization assisted 71 new families between October and November, and the need continues to grow. "People don't think that there is need in the western suburbs. The need has arrived," she said.

Maes said the ICA will take donations even after the first of the year and make the money count. "We'll stretch everyone's dollar," Maes said.

Joy Petersen is a Minneapolis freelance writer.