anime makes a lot of money off of merchandise; there is a whole club in my school full of cosplayers that show up dressed as anime characters once a week, with their stuffies or sometimes they have friends sign their anime posters, or mangas or keyrings, bags, shirts, hats, and so many other things. The makers of anime receive money when those products are bought.
Anime is also purchased by a lot of dedicated watchers, and isnt at all dying; politically, broadcasting american cartoons is economically more secure than japanese shows, and during the recession the media is taking advantage of that.
Japanese culture, as stated by FW, is also moving away from storylines children would be interested in; most young anime watchers watch it for the action, regardless of gender (a lot of anime watching young girls tend to be more tomboyish) And a lot of the animes being made are geared towards teenage girls. You also have to realize the amount of fan service is getting ridiculous.
Anime is not dying, but isnt being broadcasted either. Its watced via internet and DVD.