Nonprofits in North Carolina are beginning to wonder what will be left for their missions after the people, companies and foundations in the state finish giving to the victims of Hurricane Floyd, the News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C. reports.

The groups are worried whether "fatigue" among givers and volunteers to the cleanup and rebuilding process -- added to this year's hosting of the Special Olympics World Games -- will cut down on donations of money and time to solve some of the state's more permanent problems.

The Triangle United Way (serving Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, N.C.) has already discovered that several corporations are giving the bulk of their donations to hurricane relief this year, the News & Observer reports.

The organization delayed the start of its annual fundraising drive -- scheduled to run from Sept. 8 to Nov. 23 -- by a week to accommodate the needs of Floyd victims. So far it has raised about 15 percent of its $24,246,622 goal for this year.

However, many nonprofits are optimistic about this year's giving.

"Anytime a natural disaster hits, we know that the same group of people -- the warm and fuzzies -- are going to donate to the disaster," Marie Metcalf, director of legal affairs at the N.C. Association of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging, told the News & Observer. "But we're not overly concerned. Things will be a little bit slow but will pick up later."

History may be on the side of the optimists, at least for some organizations, the News & Observer reports. The United Way and public radio station WUNC actually saw increases in giving two years ago after Hurricane Fran caused major damage in the area. Local Salvation Army chapters also report that donations remained high after that hurricane as well.

"People in North Carolina tend to give generously," Jane Kendall of the N.C. Center for Nonprofits told the newspaper. "Our hope is that people will simply dig deeper this year."

In at least one positive sign, the Duke Endowment announced that its $6 million gift to Floyd recovery efforts will be in addition to its regular giving.

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