By Brian Blair, The Republic
bblair@therepublic.com
The 2008 United Way of Bartholomew County fundraising campaign fell $200,000 short of last year's record, triggering 9 percent cuts for agencies.
The $3.3 million collected also was half a million short of the goal set in August. That's according to figures released at Tuesday morning's United Way annual meeting before about 160 people at Donner Center.
Allocations have not yet been made. Allocations from 2008 mistakenly were overpaid by $280,000, or 13 percent.
Yet, agencies were allowed to keep that money. The allocations this year do not include the 13 percent overpayment, and the 9 percent reduction is being taken in addition to correcting the error.
This year's campaign total marks the first time since 2000 that a campaign fell short of its goal.
"In 14 annual meetings since I came to United Way," said Otto, "this is the first time I have felt uncomfortable standing before you."
He said that's because of unmet community needs.
Otto said the 9 percent cut is the aggregate amount, but some agencies will be cut more than that, and some less. United Way has been conducting a review of needs with individual agencies, and will base actual cuts on what was learned during the reviews.
Campaign officials have said since late fall that the drop in donations was impacted by the June 7 flood, job losses and national financial crises.
Officials are keeping about $250,000 in pledges separate from allocations for now (that is part of the 9 percent trim). They figure there could be that much in defaulted pledges because of donors' job losses.
But if the pledges are made good, then United Way will boost allocations quarterly.
"You can't spend pledges," said Otto, adding that he understood if the jobless couldn't fulfill their aims.
Otto also asked attendees to consider his campaign stimulus: writing a check to their favorite agency or United Way in addition to their previous donation.
Despite the shortfall, Tuesday's gathering celebrated a season of giving marked by about $400,000 donated to local flood relief. Campaign chairman Brett Vanderkolk mentioned that people's unity in the tragic aftermath brought the United Way catchphrase of "lived united" to life.
"It was wonderful to see that phrase really lived out," said Vanderkolk.
New board chairwoman Linda DeClue said she knows she will face challenges. But she is optimistic.
"You have to have faith," said DeClue. "And I do have faith - a great deal of faith in the Columbus community.
"And this community has never disappointed me."