SEATTLE — American charities have weathered a significant drop in giving this year, and while they're hoping for a holiday miracle, a recent survey shows they will probably see a decrease in year-end generosity.

In light of the economic downturn, only 38 percent of Americans say they are more likely to give a charitable gift as a holiday present this year, compared to 49 percent last year, according to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive to be released Monday.

Some of the biggest U.S. charities say they are budgeting for a disappointing Christmas.

The survey commissioned by World Vision, based in Federal Way, Wash., indicates they are prudent to not raise their expectations for now. The survey did find, however, that 74 percent of Americans plan to increase their charitable giving once the economy improves.

The nation's most successful fundraising organizations expected to see their income decline by an average of 9 percent in 2009, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Harris Interactive contacted 1,001 U.S. adults in a random telephone survey, and claims a 95 percent "confidence level."

About the same number of Americans are giving to charity these days, but they are giving fewer dollars, said Justin Greeves, senior vice president of Harris Interactive, which regularly polls Americans about their charitable giving.

Times are doubly tough this year for many nonprofits because the need for their services is increasing at the same time donations are decreasing, but Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, said her organization is doing its best to cut expenses not services.

"I say this to our staff all the time: 'Our mission is not in a recession'," said Brown. The Dallas-based nonprofit ended its fiscal year on June 30 with donations down about 11.8 percent, and a staff cut of 371 people or about 10 percent of its work force.

The charity did grow in two ways this past year: both the number of donors and the number of volunteers increased. "More people with less money is better than less people with less money," Brown said.

Northwest Harvest, operator of Washington state's largest food bank, also reported volunteerism was up this fall while cash donations were down.

Executive Director Shelley Rotondo said the statewide hunger relief organization distributed more food, in keeping with a record increase in need, during fiscal 2009 than in any time in the agency's 40-year history.

But that generosity is not continuing at the same pace this fiscal year.