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Charities Still Short of Annual Targets: A Fundraising Shortfall of About $2 Million Could Mean That Local Nonprofits Will Have to Cut Aid.

Posted on: Friday, 30 December 2005, 12:00 CST

By Amanda O'toole, The Wichita Eagle, Kan., The Wichita Eagle, Kan.

Dec. 30--The day before they must close out their budgets for the year, Wichita's major charities are about $2 million short of what they need to run their programs.

If they don't raise substantially more through Saturday, the American Red Cross, United Way of the Plains, Catholic Charities and United Methodist Urban Ministry will spend the next few weeks deciding whether to cut services.

The Salvation Army's fundraising season ends Jan. 31. But the other charities have to base their plans for 2006 on donations postmarked by Dec. 31.

Deann Smith, director of United Methodist Urban Ministry, said the charity will use donations through Dec. 31 to pay for 2005 programs. If it doesn't reach its goal, it will have to make up the difference from its 2006 money, shortchanging that year's programs.

She said small private donations -- anywhere from $1 to $50 or $100 -- have decreased this year.

"Every dollar counts," she said. "If a whole bunch of people with not a whole lot of money give, it will be significant."

United Way is the furthest behind its goal, still needing about $1.5 million.

President Patrick Hanrahan said the organization will dip into its reserves, which normally help pay for emergencies such as tornado relief and its laid-off workers center, but may still have to give less to local nonprofits or cut its operating expenses.

Changes in the aircraft industry and other Wichita companies were a big factor this year, he said.

"Several of our larger givers have gone through some changing times, and that certainly reflects our bottom line," he said.

It's more likely Wichita is suffering from donor fatigue in a year that saw a tsunami in southeast Asia and two major hurricanes hit America's Gulf Coast, said Janet Harrah, the director of Wichita State University's Center for Economic Development and Business Research.

"There's just a limit to how much people can give," she said. "I think people gave a significant amount of their charity budget to Katrina and simply don't have as much to give to local charities as they did in past years."

In the two weeks after Hurricane Katrina, Wichita charities reported receiving about $2.6 million for relief efforts.

The Wichita Salvation Army chapter typically sees about $5.5 million in donations each year.

This year it collected $1.5 million for hurricane relief.

"That's one-fifth out of the donor piggy bank that makes it more difficult to raise money throughout the year," said Tim Brown, director of development. "And deservedly so. Those folks definitely needed the help."

But so do Kansans. And the charity is $150,000 short of its goal with a month to go.

"That's part of the challenge of being in the nonprofit world and relying on others to keep your organization running," Brown said.

Deciding what to cut, if it comes to that, is the most difficult part of the job, he said.

"You're affecting people and you're hurting people in the process," he said. "There will probably be tears shed."

HOW TO

HELP WICHITA CHARITIES

Wichita charities need donations postmarked by Dec. 31 to count on their 2005 budgets. Dec. 31 also is the cutoff for donations you can deduct from your 2005 taxes.

Post office mail drop deadlines:

Check pickup times posted on drop boxes before mailing. Your best bet is to get your donation in the mail before 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

If you need more time, the Munger post office, 1314 N. Oliver, picks up mail until 6 p.m. The latest pickup at the general mail facility at 7117 W. Harry, near Mid-Continent Airport, is 8 p.m.

-- American Red Cross

Send to: P.O. Box 3726, Wichita, KS 67201; donate online at midwaykansas.redcross.org or by phone at 219-4095.

-- Catholic Charities

Send to: 437 N. Topeka, Wichita, KS 67202; donate by phone at 264-8344, ext. 220.

-- Salvation Army

Send to: 350 N. Market, Wichita, KS 67202; donate by phone at 263-2769. The deadline is Jan. 31.

-- United Methodist Urban Ministry

Send to: P.O. Box 2756, Wichita, KS 67201; donate by phone at 265-9371.

-- United Way of the Plains

Send to: 245 N. Water, Wichita, KS 67202; donate by phone at 267-1321.

Reach Amanda O'Toole at 268-6357 or aotoole@wichitaeagle.com [mailto:aotoole@wichitaeagle.com].

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.

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Source: The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kan.)

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