United Way Faces Financial Hurdle - KAUZ-TV: Newschannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TX

The North Texas Area United Way is without an Executive Director, facing a $200,000 campaign goal shortfall and a $203,000 budget deficit. The deficit could threaten the funding for several area organizations, prompting the Board of Directors to extend the organizations fundraising campaign through May 1st.

Chairman of the NTAUW Phil Waggoner said, "Our campaign has been down for the last 2 or 3 years we've been able to sustain the commitments to the agencies through some prior reserves that we'd had. Unfortunately those reserves have been exhausted."

Waggoner said the United Way has guaranteed funding to its agencies for the next 6 months. In the meantime they'll try and raise $300,000. Employees at NTAUW will also be taking a 10% pay cut, and paying more out-of-pocket for their benefits in an effort to close the gap.

Waggoner said his staff and leaders of other organizations have already been supportive. "This board and this staff will make this campaign a success. Our community must have this support. This is a giving community and we're convinced that if they understand the needs at all of those programs were funding and how critical they are, they will respond.

New fund raisers will kick off as early as next week, be sure to check the community calendar for updates.

Jack Lamson, Newschannel 6