McHenry Co. United Way far below fundraising target

With less than three months to go in its annual campaign, the United Way of Greater McHenry County is nearly $50,000 short of its fundraising goal.

If that trend continues, it would spell bad news for many of the 27 agencies the United Way funds, most of which already are struggling with declining revenues from other sources coupled with increasing demands for their services.

"It's really a Catch-22," said David Barber, the group's executive director. "Funding is going down and at the same time the need for services is going up."

The United Way had hoped to raise $1.825 million in its 2009-10 campaign. But through April 1, it had received about $1.34 million, leaving it nearly 27 percent off its goal. The campaign ends June 30.

"The fact of the matter is, more and more people are taking look at their disposable incomes and not seeing what it takes to satisfy their own expenses," Barber said.

Beginning next week, Barber said, United Way officials will begin meeting with agencies that receive funding to discuss their prospects for future allocations which, barring a late surge in donations, will be down from last year.

Barber said there still is hope for that late surge and said donations can be made online at uwmchenry.org or through the mail to United Way of Greater McHenry County, 4508 Prime Parkway. McHenry, IL 60050.

"If every household in McHenry County gave $20, we'd make up the deficit and have even more than we did last year," he said.