By Brian Blair, The Republic
bblair@therepublic.com
United Way of Bartholomew County will trim allocations for member agencies as much as 20 percent, according to figures released late Tuesday.
Most are 9 percent, according to United Way President Doug Otto. The leader predicted last week that would be the most common cut.
Reductions are based on a $3.3 million campaign that fell $200,000 short of last year's record, and half a million short of the $3.8 million goal.
Plus, many who pledged in this campaign may default because of lost jobs, Otto said.
A review committee met with each of the 29 member agencies to determine adjustments.
First Call for Help will absorb one of the 20 percent trims while United Way works to help it use volunteers in some posts to make better use of funds.
Y-MED, which deals with student mothers-to-be, also will absorb a 20 percent cut. Y-MED, an acronym for Young Mothers Educational Development, is considering merging with another agency, which is one reason for its trims.
"We want all these agencies' work to survive," said Otto. "But we just don't have enough money to fund them all as their work is being done today."
Advocates for Children, Children Inc., Foundation for Youth and Turning Point Domestic Violence Services will see 2 percent cuts.
"These four came through as having an especially vital mission with excellent execution," said Otto, emphasizing that efficiency is a top priority.
In the past few months, as trims were proposed, agencies discussed a range of adjustments. Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center's Diane Doup has said that some of its Family Night events may be canceled.
Lincoln also already eliminated one part-time position.
Mary Ellen Anable, executive director of Bartholomew Brown Decatur Chapter of the American Red Cross, said late last year that she understands funding always can fluctuate because of many factors.
"We don't ever have any guarantee from year to year what our allocations will be," Anable said.