The slumping economy and aftermath of Sept. 11 may have prevented United Way of Douglas County from reaching its campaign goal, organizers said Wednesday.
The agency raised $1,398,600 during the 2001-2002 campaign, or about $64,000 short of the original $1.46 million goal. Last year, United Way collected $1.42 million. Despite the shortfall, the 29 United Way service agencies will receive their requested funds, said Jo Bryant, the agency's director.
When the 2001-02 campaign goal was set in May, Judy Billings, campaign chairwoman, said the 3 percent increase seemed conservative.
"There are lots of volunteers that go into a campaign like this, and they all implemented the plan very, very well. But they had some unforeseen circumstances that affected us," she said.
The campaign also lost several large corporate donors, such as Sallie Mae and Alliant Techsystems, that are no longer in business in the Lawrence area.
Billings, director of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau, said administrative and campaign cuts and reserve funds will cover the shortfall. She said the Douglas County Community Foundation and the Rice Foundation gave one-time donations of $20,000 and $10,000, respectively.
Between 1996 and 1997, there was a $90,000 shortfall in United Way pledges, resulting in a 3.89 percent cut in budget allocations for 31 agencies in 1998. The 2002-'03 campaign chairperson will be named next month, and planning will begin for the upcoming campaign.
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