Those with nonprofit fundraising jobs ^[1] were more successful at getting donations last year.

The most recent report from Giving USA ^[2] found that charitable giving increased ^[3] by 2 percent to $290.9 billion during 2010. Although this isn't a large increase, it's better than the 7 percent and 6.2 percent decreases seen in 2008 and 2009.

Charitable bequests grew the most, up 16.9 percent to $22.8 billion, followed by corporate giving, up 8.8 percent to $15.3 billion. Donations to American groups that work overseas also saw the biggest increase, up 13.5 percent, followed by public-society benefit organizations.

Individuals donated the majority of money received by charities, at about $211.8 billion. The rest of the funding came from corporations and foundations.

"You see people regrowing their philanthropy, but because the economy is growing modestly, the recovery is modest," Patrick Rooney, executive director of the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, said.

In order to get more money from donors in the coming years, Rooney says, fundraisers need to be patient and make sure they clearly communicate the charity's message to potential donors.

“Don’t give up on donors who had to give up on you,” he said. “There may be financial and emotional fallout with donors due to the recession, but if you stick with it over the long term, you may recapture them.”