The Greenville News: Increased demand taxes United Way funds

by Liv Osby
(Published May 5, 2010)

The United Way of Greenville County fielded a record number of applications while facing reduced donations this year, but it still awarded $5.82 million in funds to agencies serving the county's less fortunate.

“It's been a difficult economic year for everybody,” said 2010 Board Chair Margaret Clark. “It's challenging when you have less resources and more requests.”

United Way raised $14 million in its most recent campaign, she said. But it lost nearly $1.3 million through uncollectible pledges, and another $2.5 million is designated by donors to certain agencies, she said. Plus, $2.2 million goes toward strategic initiatives, and it costs about $2 million to run the United Way, she said.

Agency volunteers reviewed 123 requests and funded 86 programs that focus on children and families, community health and aid to people in crisis, ranging from the American Red Cross to the YMCA.

But many got reduced allocations. Clark said there was no choice because donations were off.

Some agencies may have to cut services as a result, while others may find funding elsewhere, she said. Still others may save money by collaborating with other agencies or finding more efficient ways of providing their services, she said.

Salvation Army Maj. Bobby Lancaster, area coordinator for Greenville, said the group was disappointed to get $32,000 less, but hopes to raise it elsewhere to avoid cutting services.

“With the economy we're in, we're happy to receive what the United Way is giving us,” he said. “We know they did the best they could with the funding they had.”

United Ministries executive director Keith Trout said the agency is still assessing how its $26,000 cut might impact programs. But he said it comes at a time when demand is up and its own fundraising has fallen short.

The adult education program had 200 students two years ago, but 500 now, he said. And funding for the employment readiness program is down 10 percent at a time when case managers must spend more time locating scarce jobs.

“We understand. It's just difficult,” he said. “We need all the help we can get.”

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County, which got $60,000 last year, got no grant this time.

United Way spokesman Mike Posey said the agency was last funded for a home building program, but didn't apply for that this year. Instead, he said, it applied for a new housing counseling program and it was decided to fund groups who have provided that service in the past.

Habitat President Monroe Free said the program was viewed as a duplication of services, but that United Way missed an opportunity to serve many low-income people.

“We are the only group that focuses on families earning 30 percent to 60 percent of the area median income,” he said. “But I know that United Way had to make tough choices. We continue to support United Way and its efforts to make our community a better place to live for all citizens.”

The YWCA of Greenville was one of the few agencies to see an increase. That's because of two new programs, said executive director Jil Littlejohn.

Up to now, it's been funded for a child care program and for allowing other nonprofits to use space in its building, she said. Now it will also get funding for a program to prevent high school dropouts and teen pregnancy, as well as an after-school program to increase English proficiency among foreign speakers, she said.

“In light of everything that's happened with the economy, we're thankful,” Littlejohn said. “It will have a tremendous impact on the overall Greenville community.”

Meanwhile, 16 new programs got funding. Goodwill Industries of the Upstate/Midlands was among them. It will use its allocation to help ex-offenders find employment, said spokeswoman Crystal Hardesty.

“There was an opportunity this year to start some new programs and they were generous with their funding for that,” she said.

Clark said the new programs address gaps in services. For instance, she said, Little Steps focuses on providing teen mothers with an environment in which their children can learn. And St. Francis Episcopal Church Hispanic Ministries tackles domestic violence in the Hispanic community.