Recent surveys on consumer confidence and expectations about the economy will separate optimistic fundraisers from the pessimists.

Typical of what I’m seeing is this survey released last week by Harris Interactive.

It reports that only 24% of Americans see their own household’s financial situation getting better in the next six months. On the other hand, 28% see it worsening … but this is the lowest "worsening" figure since Harris began asking the question in February 2008.

Concludes Harris:

"People are currently feeling cautiously optimistic on the economy. They are more likely to believe it is improving  and more likely to think their own financial condition will be getting better. The one downside is that the job  numbers are not moving as quickly as the others. Until Americans feel confident about both of these aspects of  the economy, they will not feel the same level of optimism that the White House is trying to get across. And,  until they feel strong Americans are not likely to be opening up their wallets and spending again – something  that is needed to really help spur the economy along."

For a heavy dose of gloominess, try Consumer Reports fascinating Trouble Tracker, as reported by Retailer Daily (thanks David).

"The Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker focuses on both the proportion of consumers that have faced difficulties as well as the number of negative events they have encountered. The negative events include: the inability to pay medical bills or afford medication, missed mortgage payments, home foreclosure, interest rate increase, penalties fees, reduced lines of credit or other changes in credit card terms, job loss or layoffs, reduced healthcare coverage, or the denial of personal loans."

The Trouble Tracker reached its highest reading in this month, 62.3, up from its low point of 48.5 in May 2009. Not surprisingly, CR’s related Stress Index has also hit a high in September!

Want to volunteer a prediction? Will your donors be feeling flush enough to start re-opening their wallets in the critical last quarter of 2009 … or will they still be hunkering down?

Tom