The chairman of the Bermuda Donor Forum said yesterday that while corporate Bermuda remains very generous, with 16 of the forum?s own members collectively giving more than $13 million to charity last year, community demand is testing the ability of donors.

Recent statistics compiled by the Forum indicate that there are currently 20 capital campaigns on the go, and conservative estimates put the total ask at over $250 million.

Donor Forum chairman David Lang said: ?Accordingly there will have to be a prioritisation, which will necessarily result in individual donations possibly becoming smaller and capital campaigns taking longer to meet targets.?

Beyond lengthening the duration of capital campaigns, Mr. Lang said there is also an increased need for charities to combine resources and work together.

?Groups should try to work together more closely and partner and amalgamate when appropriate to do so when it makes sense,? he said.

?At least have the conversation and say can we share a photocopier rather than having one each so you?re spending less money on photocopiers and more money on service provision for the Bermuda community.?

The Donor Forum was founded by 12 foundations and firms in 2002 and now represents 21 local and international companies, 16 of which collectively donated $13,569,758 to a variety of registered charities in Bermuda during 2004. This is an increase of some $2.5 million over figures released last year.

The members do not give collectively but rather meet on a regular basis to share information and best practice. The Forum also hosts annual thought leadership seminars and works closely with registered charities, the Government and agencies such as the Centre on Philanthropy, to affect positive reform in our community.