Everyone's looking for ways to save money. And that's bad for groups that rely on your generosity.

Charities are some of the first to fall in a bad economy.

Starlight Children's Foundation supports seriously ill children and their families with getaways and distractions from the hospital.

Recently, volunteers took to the phones to drum up attendance for Starlight's annual luncheon.

"This has been a difficult year for Starlight," they explained to past supporters.

And that difficult situation is starting to feel desperate.

The programs forge ahead, but donations are dropping off.

"It's been disconcerting because all of our revenues are 100 percent contributions. That's where all of our funds come from," says Starlight Executive Director Steve McGraw. "However, the need still exists, no matter what's happening in the economy."

Starlight isn't alone.

At the annual breakfast supporting Eastside Domestic Violence Program, there was a last-minute scramble to fill seats.

"People are holding their purses a little bit tighter this year," says EDVP Executive Director Barbara Langdon. "Contributions and donations to nonprofits may be considered a luxury where they were automatic in the past."

Now nonprofits compete with high gas prices, spiking grocery bills and uncertain retirement accounts.

At a time when people are cautious about spending money, they say even small donations can make all the difference.

A number of local nonprofits just held or about to hold annual fundraisers. Of course, you don't have to attend to support their missions.

Here are links to a few of them:

www.starlight-washington.org

www.edvp.org

www.apiwfsc.org

anitraweb.org/homelessness/faqs/tentcities.html

www.dawnonline.org/