UNITED WAY Shortfall to cut payouts, Trumbull officials say

Late campaigns will be the key to the outcome.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
HOWLAND -- The initial consequences of the shortfall in the United Way of Trumbull County fund-raising effort may be decided Dec. 20 and most agencies likely face reduced allocations.
That was the word Wednesday from Thomas J. Krysiek, president of the Trumbull United Way after an announcement by George W. Chestnut, campaign chairman, that the campaign, which started a week late because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, had raised $2,464,310, or 83.9 percent of its $2,935,000 goal.
Chestnut said the campaign is being left open awaiting completion of fund-raising at some companies and he expects it to end by year's end. He predicted a large part of the shortfall will be made up by then.
Last year's campaign raised almost $2.87 million.
The key will be increased pledges and contributions, especially among late-running local, regional and national campaigns as well as efforts just beginning, Chestnut said.
"No one wants to see the valued services in our community being funded at less than adequate levels, especially during these times of increased demand," said Edward C. Taylor, chairman of the United Way board.
What's next: Krysiek said the allocations committee will meet next week to consider the amounts to be awarded to 28 agencies, followed by the Dec. 20 board meeting at which disbursements can be decided.
It is possible the board will make preliminary allocations Dec. 20, with possible additional allocations later based on the campaign's outcome, Krysiek said.
The total to be allocated this year will be less than last year, Krysiek said, but adjustments won't be made across the board.
Each allocation will be based on agency needs and other funding available to it. "Most will likely face some degree of reduced allocations," for 2002 compared to 2001, he said.
The United Way has used almost $800,000 from its reserves over the past decade, but reserves have dwindled to the point where allocations can no longer be made from them and allocations now must come from what's raised in the yearly campaign, he said.
What's behind this: Chestnut said this year's campaign was affected by a broader-than-expected economic downturn, plant closings, retirements in industry, and downsizing among retailers, utilities, finance and health-care organizations.
However, the United Way reported increased giving among retirees and some financial and educational institutions.
The closing of CSC Ltd. is costing the United Way of Trumbull County more than $110,000 a year in contributions, with more than $40,000 in additional gifts lost from companies that did business with CSC, Krysiek said.
Some of this year's leading contributors were: Delphi Packard Electric Systems employees, $619,000; General Motors employees, more than $258,000; WCI Steel employees, nearly $256,000; and Second National Bank of Warren and its employees, nearly $69,000.