THE GOOD NEWS: According to the Philanthropy Outlook, philanthropic giving is expected to increase 4.8 percent this year, and 4.9 percent in 2016.  This growth is spurred largely by an increase in foundation giving, thanks to market gains in the past few years since the economic downturn of 2009.

THE BAD NEWS: Another report, this one by the Atlas of Giving, anticipates a 3.2 percent decline in giving in 2015, because of an expected decline in the stock markets and a possible increase in interest rates.

In light of these conflicting reports, what’s a fundraiser to do?