By Jodi Magallanes, Truth Staff
jmagallanes@etruth.com
The United Way of Elkhart County is looking ahead, but right now all it sees is a brick wall.
The unprecedented rise in unemployment in Elkhart County has devastated United Way's annual charitable campaign, said President Jerome Quatman in a press release Tuesday.
Two pledge streams are currently still in question. When the likelihood of receiving those is determined the agency will release exact figures for the annual charitable campaign that constitutes the overwhelmingly majority of United Way funds for the year. But as of Monday it was already obvious that the overall drop in funds raised by the annual campaign will be "substantial," Quatman said.
The United Way office has already taken a step toward reducing the financial burden of administrating the extensive, county-wide charitable network. An employee who took an early retirement in January will not be replaced, Quatman said, reducing the administrative workforce by 17 percent. The five remaining staffers will pick up that persons duties. The office is also operating on a zero-based budget, scrutinizing the need to spend each dollar.
Mostly likely to be of concern to the community is the inevitable withdrawal of United Way financial support to some member agencies.
"The reality is that no matter how much internal cost cutting is done, there will be additional cuts to partner agencies," Quatman said in the release.
The agency's board of directors is still in the process of evaluating member agencies in light of the new reality. But no more across the board reductions in funding would be taking place, Quatman said, leaving little room for other solutions.
The agency's intention is to concentrate available money in three areas of community support -- health, education and personal income. Continued funding will be allocated to United Way partner agencies that can best what is needed to achieve results in these areas by advancing the common good in our county.
Volunteer members of the United Way Board of Directors will vote March 12 on the final allocation decisions for 2009-2010 and approve a budget.
Perhaps fearing the worst, Quatman reiterated in the release that all United Way agencies provide important services to clients.
"Although agencies will be impacted it is important to understand that not receiving funding is not a reflection of any organization's performance," he said. "With the current budget restraints, we are committed to sharpening our focus on how United Way can create long-term change in the community while also addressing today's extraordinary needs."
More than 60 percent of charitable campaign funds raised in 2008 came from workplace giving. A number of pledges are expected to be uncollectable due to ongoing job losses.