The amount of money raised during the campaign for United Way of Grant County has dropped significantly from the previous year.
The organization had its annual meeting last week and revealed how the 15 county organizations that rely on its support have been affected in terms of specific dollar distributions.
"Right now, we have about $134,000 less than we were at the same time last year," Executive Director Mike McMillan said. "We're still running behind, but we expected that."
Given the economic situation facing many in the area, he said he certainly wasn't shocked that giving was down. Currently, the group has raised $504,000 through charitable giving in this campaign, which will continue for several more months.
That's down from $638,000 that had been raised at the same time during last year's campaign, McMillan said. He added that United Way still hopes to finish this year's campaign with between $575,000 and $600,000 collected.
"We'd be very confident to see that by the end of the year," McMillan said.
The money is distributed to 36 programs across 15 agencies.
Phil Loy, a Taylor University professor and chairman of the committee that allocates money to the 36 programs, said each of the 10 committee members made an independent judgment as to how much funding to distribute to each of the programs.
After two days of hearings with the organizations and program heads, he said committee members then submit how much they believe should be allocated. After high and low outlier figures are canceled out, averages are then determined.
"That's the way we appropriate," he said.
When the budget shrinks, Loy said it makes for tough work.
"It was pretty difficult this year because we had a little over $70,000 less this year to allocate," he said.
Having less money and greater need in what makes the job so difficult, Loy said.
Among those hardest-hit by the cuts this year was Carey Services, which was highest in the amount of total dollars lost from last year and second-highest in the percentage of funds cut.
"It'll be pretty serious for us," said Mark Draves, Carey's chief executive officer.
Carey helps people facing disabilities and other challenges become self-sufficient. He said the organization is now going to have to make cuts. It's a matter of where those cuts will be made.
Copyright © 2024 Chronicle-Tribune