From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Economic crisis, non-profit charities, and Barack Obama.

Hello again, I'm Mormon Alleney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most. President George H.W. Bush talked about a thousand points of light the nonprofit groups

vital to the quality of life for millions of Americans. Those lights are dimming. Art museums,

schools, health clinics, and food banks are precariously short of money. But as the need increases,

funding is shrinking.

Will foundations and individual donors augment their giving or tighten their own belts?

Barack Obama's fundraising success has been part of the problem.

Will he help find the solution?

On reporter's notebook later on, the essays of George Orwell, an old voice for new times. First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John D.

and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Hello again. Warren Alney, back with To the Point.

Economic crisis has increased the need for charitable giving, but at the same time, it has

decreased contributions to foundations and individual givers. You might not believe it, but private

business is one of the victims. We'll look at the current damage and what the future might hold.

On reporter's notebook, a 20th century writer speaks to the 21st century. We'll look at the current damage and what the future might hold. On reporter's notebook, a 20th century writer speaks to the 21st century.

We'll look at the essays of George Orwell.

First, in this news update, economic crisis means unemployment at a time when food prices are rising.

The consequence is that 30 million Americans may be on food stamps this month, surpassing the

historic high set in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. That's according to Jane Black in the

...