Downturn in donations appears to be easing

The combination of holiday spirit and the last chance to snag a tax write-off means donors of all levels open their wallets. This year, experts say, people plan to open them a little wider.

Rick Dunham, a Dallas-based authority on charitable giving, names the performance of the stock market as the most important indicator of how much individuals and companies give each year. Slight economic recovery in 2010 should translate to dollar signs for nonprofits.