The majority of Greater Des Moines charities are concerned about raising funds this year as demand for services from nearly all organizations increased last year. This was among the key findings in the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation’s survey of more than 80 local nonprofits. The report was designed to gauge the economic health of local charitable organizations and use the results to provide resources to help them weather the storm. Fund raising could be one of the biggest challenges nonprofits face; more than 60 percent said that obtaining funds is a major challenge. A downturn in corporate donations is expected to account for the biggest decrease in funding this year, after 35 percent of local nonprofits reported a decrease in corporate funding last year. Meanwhile, nonprofits also have to meet the growing demand for their services, with nearly 80 percent saying they have seen an increase. For the complete report, go to www.desmoinesfoundation.org.

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded ING Groep NV’s senior debt rating to A1 from Aa3 and its financial strength rating of ING Bank to C+ from B- due to a downturn in ING’s profitability in its banking and insurance operations, MarketWatch reported. “The rating agency expects the more negative trend may continue given the group’s business and asset exposure and current and prospective economic environment,” Moody’s said.

Orders for major manufactured items fell 2.6 percent in December, the fifth straight month of declines, the Associated Press reported. According to a Commerce Department report, for the entire year of 2008, orders to U.S. factories dropped 5.7 percent, the second-biggest decline on record. The worst one was a 10.7 percent decrease in 2001.

Life insurers, including Principal Financial Group Inc., received a boost on the stock market yesterday as a panel of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners recommended the entire group approve six proposals, including easing the amount of cash life insurance companies must set aside to cover potential losses and pay claims. The group, however, rejected three other proposals, the Associated Press reported. The organization is expected to vote on whether to adopt the proposals at a teleconference today. The American Council of Life Insurers, an industry group, is pushing for changes, especially that the group ease the requirements for capital reserves. It says the changes would free up $25 billion to $30 billion in capital, or about 6 to 7 percent of the life insurers’ total adjusted capital in 2007.

Karen Quance Jeske has resigned as executive director of the Neighborhood Development Corp. and Community Housing Development Corp. to finish work on her doctorate degree in sociology at Iowa State University. Her last day was yesterday, but she will help both groups as needed through February. Heidi Wessels, associate director, will serve as interim executive director while the boards for both organizations discuss their strategies going forward and decide who will take over the groups, she said. The Community Housing Development Corp. is close to finishing two houses on Forest Avenue, one of which will strive for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating.

The Des Moines Social Club and The Subjective Theatre Company have signed a lease for 1408 Locust St., Des Moines, with help from organizations and individuals including the Kruidenier Foundation, the Iowa Arts Council, Citibank Mortgage and state Sen. Jack Hatch. To celebrate, it will host a celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 6, followed by a special production of the play “R.U.R.” at 7 p.m.