October 2, 2009

Update: United Way Revenue Dips 11.3%

There were big fundraising winners and big fundraising losers in the United Way system between 2007 and 2008. According to revised numbers released Tuesday (Sept. 29) by the United Way, Erie, Pa., posted the largest percentage decrease of -67.5 percent and Salem, Ore., posted the largest percentage increase of 42.2 percent.

The United Way of Erie County, which had 2007 total contributions of $16,154,887, raised only $5,254,332 during 2008. Following Erie in percentage decreases was Hamilton, Ohio, -46.1 percent; Hattiesburg, Miss., -44.1 percent; Mesa, Ariz., -38.6 percent; and, Fort Smith, Ark., -37.5 percent.

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley in Salem, Ore., increased more than 42 percent from 2007, going from $1,567,162 in 2007 to $2,228,278 in 2008. After Salem’s big jump was Greensburg, Pa., 40.8 percent; Casper, Wyo., 28.7 percent; Green Bay, Wis., 27.2 percent; and Baytown, Texas, 27.1 percent.

The leading United Way on the list for total contributions in 2008 was Seattle with $102,163,345, which was a 14.5 percent decrease from its $119,531,103 total contributions in 2007. 

United Way Resource Development results for 2008 represent the United Ways classified as Metro 1 through 4, which are United Ways raising more than $1 million. The total contribution for each United Way includes the value of in-kind donations but excludes government grants.

Overall, United Way total revenue for 2008 was down 11.3 percent, from $4,369,574,482 in 2007 to $3,873,887,720 for 2008, which includes values of assets and investments. Overall public support for United Way declined 5 percent, from $4,236,464,794 in 2007 to $4,023,362,895 in 2008.

United Way does not file a consolidated audit, so some financial breakdowns, such as temporarily restricted, unrestricted and permanently restricted, are not possible. United Way Director of Public Relations Sal Fabens explained that the total income figure is lower than public support figure due to significant value losses in endowment funds and other investments.