Bermuda's high standard ? and cost ? of living provide a mixed bag of benefits and problems for the Island's non-profit organisations.

Charities interviewed by last week said their financial needs are growing at the same time that they are having difficulty offering salaries to paid staff that are competitive with the private sector.

And all non-profit organisations are finding it harder to get volunteers to help them.

"Non-profits are finding it difficult in Bermuda," nursing home administrator James Davis told . "I can't speak for others, but we survive off the generosity from outside donors, and local and international business."

Asked if it is difficult for paid employees to survive off their salaries in Bermuda, Mr. Davis said: "It is a hard situation to manage. We need to continue providing the necessary service to our seniors, but we need to be concerned about our staff as well.

"I have no answer yet to how I think we can fix it," said the Westmeath Residential and Nursing Home administrator. "I've only been here for nine months. Maybe, in two years I'll have a better answer.

"Seventy percent of costs are salary related at Westmeath. Budget planning will be an interesting and difficult time for us."

Cummings Zuill, director of the Centre on Philanthropy, said: "Certainly, many charities in Bermuda experience difficulty finding volunteers. And a reason for this may be because of the high cost of living here.

"People are drawn to the high prices (salaries) of the business sector. There is such a demand here in that sector. If money weren't an issue more people would go into non-profit (as volunteers and paid employees)," said Mr. Zuill.

"Some challenges from the non-profit world (social sector) are to get paid staff and raise money for them. And also to find volunteers."

Mr. Davis of Westmeath said: "There are not as many volunteers available as there used to be."

But Ralph Richardson, director of the ACE Foundation, said: "My personal view is that it is more a high standard of living than a high cost of living in Bermuda.

"Government is doing a good job funding charities and very successful programmes are running now between Government and the private sector for example, the Bermuda Technology Education Collaborative (B.Tec)."

The purpose of B.Tec is to bring technology to high schools in Bermuda.

PALS president and chief executive officer Ann Smith Gordon said of donations: "I can't speak for other charities but PALS is extremely fortunate to have incredible support. If we didn't have donations then there would be no PALS."

Some charities and non-profits in Bermuda seem to be more successful than others, she said. Mrs. Smith Gordon said she believes PALS does well because it is "honest" and "transparent".

"We will tell you exactly where are money goes, some charities are too secretive," Mrs. Gordon added.

Mr. Richardson said demand for donations was always increasing: "New charities are starting all the time. There is a greater demand for capital projects. And I expect there will be greater needs later ? the hospital would be one."

David Lang, administrator for the Bank of Bermuda Foundation said: "I would think if you asked the charities they would say that they do not get enough funding.

"But I don't think the high cost of living here plays a role in making things difficult for charities. It balances out for example with wages."

Asked if Government is helping charities enough financially Mr. Lang said: "I don't think it is Government's role and I don't know how you would measure if they were or not."

But Mrs. Gordon said: "Both the UBP and the PLP have been supportive of PALS. They give a $100,000 grant each year but it does not go far because our budget is $800,000, so that leaves us to find $700,000."

And Mr. Zuill said he believed Government and charities could work together to solve social problems.

"Non-profits can apply for financial assistance and Government does give grants for it but I think they could do more," said Mr. Zuill.

"The social sector is recognised as huge but needs structure from the community to show the value of worth. Charities will survive but need better business plans."