While concern about the economy has nearly everyone in the nonprofit sector concerned about fund raising, foundation grants, and even income from fee-based services, there is good news for us here in the Northwest.

In the past year I've read three books that have a few key ideas in common. The books are Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat, Bill Bishop's The Big Sort and Richard Florida's recent Who's Your City. The common theme is that while globalization is erasing national boundaries, at the same time place is becoming more important.

Richard Florida makes the point saying that "Globalization is not flattening the world; on the contrary, the world is spiky. Place is becoming more relevant to the global economy and our individual lives."

The good news for us in the Northwest is that the Puget Sound region is one of those spiky places. The impact of globalization is that metro areas such as Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Shanghai often have more in common with each other than Seattle does with Spokane.

The Puget Sound region will continue to be a leading economic area in the country. As the economy turns around, our area promises to be one of the areas leading the recovery.

While foundation and corporate giving are likely to lag in 2009 and on into 2010, individual giving, which composes three-quarters of all philanthropic giving, should lead the way in the recovery.

Even in the short-term, individual giving may be more resilient than expected. Organizations that continue to ask and that make the case for how an individual's gift can really make a difference in these tough times, may find their results better than expected.

The good news is that we live on the leading edge of the economic frontier, a place of opportunity and vitality. That position comes with unique responsibilities too. While our region attracts some of the best and the brightest, the people who fuel that economic engine, that also means that the challenges faced by people in need loom larger.

Affordable housing is one example. Because our region is one of those spiky places that attract creative and talented people, there is a constant pressure on housing prices, whether you own or rent. People in the top jobs don't notice that cost; while those in service jobs, or between jobs, may struggle to find affordable housing.

On the whole, our opportunities outweigh the challenges. If we keep that in mind, we can deal with the rest.