Focus on the Family cuts 202 jobs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Focus on the Family, a Christian advocacy group based in Colorado Springs, is cutting 202 jobs due to the economic slump and sagging donations, officials said.

The organization said Monday it was laying off 149 employees and eliminating 53 vacant positions in the biggest job cuts since Focus on the Family was established 32 years ago, The (Colorado Springs) Gazette reported. The move reduces Focus on the Family's work force by almost 18 percent, to 950.

Twenty percent of the jobs involved are in management.

Focus on the Family also cut its budget from $160 million in fiscal 2008 to $138 million for fiscal 2009.

Chief Operating Officer Glenn Williams said Focus on the Family relies on donations for more than 95 percent of its revenue. He said donations have been declining since the new fiscal year began in October and major donors have indicated they will reduce giving.

"Looking at October trends and talking to donors who are not in a position where they can give, we thought we'd be facing a more severe decision in January or February if we waited," Williams said.

Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp. President Mike Kazmierski told the newspaper other non-profits are likely to experience similar fundraising difficulties.

"When people have to cut back, the only place they have to go is their discretionary income," he said.