Year after year, nonprofit organizations lean on the the spirit of holiday giving, courting mission-sustaining philanthropic donations.

Amid funding cuts, inflation and a lingering hangover from the longest federal shutdown in American history, organizations are turning to every possible lifeline – from micro-donations to major gifts – to stay afloat.

In light of this challenging time, The Traverse City Business News (The Ticker's sister publication) asked seven local nonprofits to think about their needs in small (less than $100), bigger (less than $500) and biggest (sky’s the limit) categories, with the caveat that they can’t just wish for cash.

Click here to read the story, and be sure to check out the rest of the December issue, which includes stories and columns on:

- Nonprofit annual giving strategies
- Deposit growth at local small banks
- A local push for youth financial literacy
- Business leaders we lost this year
- Market challenges facing builders
- Trends in real estate and construction law
- Employer experiences with the new Earned Sick Time Act
- And MUCH more!

Click here to subcribe to the TCBN, and click here to see where you can find it on newsstands.