As part of the United Way’s Pulse Survey, respondents were allowed to submit anonymous comments. Here are some of those comments:
• We’ve been fortunate to avoid cuts but feel with the economic trend, we may not be able to continue without impact on our financial stability.
• From year to year now government support is very problematic and despite the stock market high individual large donors are giving less.
• If you work hard, have a good product, collaborate with others and keep your name out there, you’ll have no problem.
• We keep signing up more & more people that are in need of food assistance but keep seeing our donations (food & financial) drop down. There are no truths being conveyed by the politicians, things are NOT getting better!! I wish they would come and stand in line (that wraps around the building) and talk to these people and find out what reality REALLY is!
• In order for us to succeed at our mission it is critical that parents have jobs, state has funding to support our initiatives, business continue to support fundraisers and scholarships, and that town government more than supports our goals and objectives. We are squeezed!
• Could be a lot better, but has been a lot worse.
• For the first time in 23 years here, we had back to back years without a cost of living increase. Without COLAs provided by the state, we do not see an opportunity to reverse this trend.
• Our healthcare costs have risen 15 percent each year over the past five years — benefits are becoming more challenging to provide. With the lower salary ranges for non-profits this has always been a benefit. It is more and more challenging to provide staff with the salary and benefits they deserve and I believe have a right to.
• We struggle financially as an organization, but are excited about health care reform.
• Last fiscal year we say more than a 10 percent drop in individual contributions through our direct mail appeals.
• The COA (Commission on the Arts) has a totally different approach, which makes us very worried about funding from the state. They are making it up as they go along.
• We are not worried about the focus of the state arts department and feel what they’re doing is a good idea.
• We have no reserve funds except a line of credit that must be paid back so I don’t consider that reserve funds actually.
• Increase in contributions from individuals was due to the success of an anniversary fundraiser – a one time event.
• Public funding is flat, at best, with some reductions occuring.
• We did an annual appeal and an event for the first time.
• Seems to be more competition for grants from foundations – we had less success than in the previous fiscal year.
• Our two major fundraising events in FY 12 were very successful thanks to superb volunteer leadership.
• Corporations increased; foundations flat.
