UNITED WAY SOLICITS FUNDING PROPOSALS

Agencies receiving money from the Area Wide United Way have until May 10 to submit their budget requests to the agency.

The United Way budgeting process goes on throughout the year, explained Dorothy Klein, executive director of the agency.

Money for the 1990-91 campaign year was allocated in the fall and agencies are spending that money. They must now apply for funding that will be allocated next year.

The United Way fell short of its 1990-91 goal of $500,000, raising $434,166. For the 1990-91 year, allocations to 24 agencies totaled $365,600.

The American Red Cross received the largest sum of money from the campaign, $56,000. The Salvation Army received $42,000, and both the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts received $33,000.

The smallest amount of money allocated this year, $500, was given to the Mental Health Association and the national USO.

Operating expense for the United Way agency, including salaries, was $37,617. Klein said $21,500 is "set aside" for emergencies. "But we don't have that money in the bank," she said. "All of that money has not been collected yet."

She said unfulfilled promises of contributions are not uncommon. "I'm still collecting on pledges from 1989," she said.

But planning goes on for next year's drive, Klein said.

"We are now accepting applications and budget requests for the 1992 funding cycle," Klein said.

Every year, each agency wishing to receive United Way funds must submit an application, showing its budget and most current audit, and explaining its programs and the number of people served.

Once this information is in hand, Klein said, the United Way Board of Directors will meet, review the applications and decide on the 1991-92 campaign goal.

"That will probably be done in June," Klein said. "The board will also make a decision then on any new agencies, which will receive money."

Agencies do not find out how much money they will receive until after the fund-raising campaign is over.

"We changed three years ago to allocate money after the drive," said Klein. "Agencies won't plan to receive more money than we can give if we fall short of our goal."

She said before money is allocated, one or two members of the board visit each agency to see first-hand what each agency does.

"You can put on paper all the things you do, but until someone sees the people coming in for help, it's hard to understand really what an agency does."