The Associated Press

LAWRENCE, Kan., The Associated Press, August 29, 2009 — Ben Ahlvers is a full-time arts education coordinator, but his passion is with the fanciful creatures, human figures and oversized hammers he fashions from clay.

MIAMI, August 27, 2009, The Associated Press — An institute at the University of Miami will receive a $20 million gift to research some common but complex disorders including autism and Parkinson's, university officials announced Thursday.

HARRISBURG, Pa., August 13, 2009, The Associated Press — Pennsylvania's six-week-old budget stalemate has turned off the spigot that normally keeps billions of taxpayer dollars flowing for social services for the poor, prompting scores of nonprofit agencies to lay off workers, take out loans and cut back to survive.

SEATTLE, June 11, 2009, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS — The Seattle Foundation has chosen former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice as its new president and chief executive.

June 13, 2009, The New York Times — Four nonprofit groups devoted to investigative journalism will have their work distributed by The Associated Press, The A.P. will announce on Saturday, greatly expanding their potential audience and helping newspapers fill the gap left by their own shrinking resources.

RICHMOND, Va., June 2, 2009, The Associated Press — Free health clinics in 14 states are getting financial help from Dominion Resources Inc.

BOSTON, May 15, 2009, The Associated Press — Jim Dimopoulos can't remember every organization his car dealership helped out in its 36 years of operation: police and fire associations, cheerleaders, baseball teams, even high school yearbook classes in his town.

CRAFTSBURY COMMON, Vt., The Associated Press, May 11, 2009 — The 92 students at Sterling College are used to roughing it , they learn how to use an ax, sleep outside in the winter and raise a quarter of their food.

But the recession created a new hardship, forcing administrators to plead with the cash-strapped state for $350,000 for a new dorm that it hopes will attract the minimum of 115 students it needs to survive.

DES MOINES, Iowa, The Associated Press — A mystery is unfolding in the world of college fundraising: During the past few weeks, at least nine universities -- including two in North Carolina -- have received gifts totaling more than $45 million, and the schools had to promise not to try to find out the giver's identity.

Often the last resort for those in need, the Salvation Army in some cities is experiencing a budget crunch of its own despite a sharp increase in donations.