MEDIA ADVISORY, Nov. 10 /Christian Newswire/ -- As unemployment rises and churchgoers struggle to make ends meet, budget constraints deepen at churches and at other Christian organizations. "Giving is down in every area," says Tom Freiling, founder of Samaritan Fundraising, an upstart church fundraising company. "This makes it especially difficult for churches," he says, "because during a recession people turn to them for help."

Freiling reports that youth group budgets and missions funds are hit particularly hard during a recession, as churches shore up to meet their basic needs such as a mortgage or payroll. "2009 has been one of the most challenging years in decades for churches and Christian outreach organizations," he says.

During tough economic times, Freiling recommends churches turn to innovative and creative fundraising. "Fundraising is never easy, but with a little creativity it can turn into a community-building event. We're hearing all sorts of interesting fundraising ideas and some real success stories."

His company offers church groups an innovative Christian fundraising idea, the Samaritan Card. The Samaritan Card is a shopping discount card. Consumers save up to 50% at 100,000 merchants with the card. Church groups sell the Samaritan Card to fundraise. Freiling reports his website is flooded with inquiries, up to 50 churches a day.

The program has been so well-received since it was launched during the summer, Freiling and his team at Samaritan Fundraising can hardly keep up. Unlike many other companies who are laying-off staff, he's busy hiring. "For us, it's a joy to be a part of helping churches find new ways to do the work of ministry, even during a recession."

This is Freiling's second Christian-based venture. The last company he founded, Xulon Press, was started in his basement right after September 11, 2001. It eventually grew into a multi-million dollar company which he eventually sold to the NASDAQ-listed communications company, Salem Communications.

Samaritan Fundraising's clients include churches, campus ministries, youth groups, non-profit organizations, and Christian schools. One California school recently raised more than $25,000 to help bridge the gap between costs and lower enrollment. Freiling reports that in the next year more than one million dollars will be raised by Christian organizations with the Samaritan Card.