Local United Way effort
nears its fund-raising goal
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The United Way's fund-raising efforts will help many local service agencies. |
Despite tough economic conditions, The United Way of Lexington-Rockbridge County has raised 86 percent of its $250,000 goal for this year’s campaign, the organization’s director said this week.
That puts the local chapter, which funds 13 community service agencies in the Rockbridge area, ahead of last year’s campaign at this time.
Executive Director David Dax had feared a drop in corporate donations would hurt the campaign.
“Because of the economic downturn, businesses have been less generous this year, so far,” he said.
But individual donors appear to have picked up the slack. Dax says now he is optimistic that the United Way will be able to provide its member agencies with their yearly allocations, even if the fund-raising falls short of its target.
“It’s hard to predict whether we will, ultimately, meet the goal, but we should be able to meet our full commitment to [the member agencies],” he said.
For nonprofits like the Rockbridge Area Transportation System (RATS), the allocation is crucial if they are to continue operating. In a county with no form of public transportation, RATS provides shuttle service for the disabled and elderly, an affordable alternative for those who cannot pay for conventional transportation.
But it is in fact so inexpensive that RATS’ fares cover only one-third of its expenses. That leaves the company scrambling to cover the deficit.
RATS relies on United Way funding, grants and other donations to offset its remaining expenses.
“Every cent is plowed back into the organization,” Director Tim Root said of RATS’ business model. “When you look at the pie, without the United Way, things would be a lot tougher.”
United Way supports a combination of nonprofits, businesses and other programs that address needs including medical care, job opportunities, transportation and legal help.
As the organizations’ associate, United Way’s job is to extend as much financial help as it can. The size of an agency’s allocation is determined by its budget and the priority it is given. Organizations are ranked as one of three priorities – life-sustaining, life-improving, and life-enhancing – based on their function in the community.
“Money from the United Way acts as a safety net for the agencies,” said Dax. For example, he said, United Way gave the Rockbridge Area Free Clinic $32,000 last year, money that was used to subsidize the cost of prescriptions for the clinic’s patients.
In another instance, after ending its partnership with manufacturer MTI Groendyk in 2008, the Rockbridge Area Occupational Center (RAOC) used $10,000 in United Way money to soften a short-term loss. RAOC provides training and employment for people with disabilities; MTI Groendyk had contracted minor jobs from the agency.
Dax believes fulfilling his pledge to every agency is vital, especially during a period of such economic uncertainty.
“We’re in a fallback, and they continue to need support,” he said.
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