Survey Finds Bay Area Non-Profits Struggling Due To Dwindling Resources

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- The United Way's 9th Annual Bay Area Nonprofit Pulse Survey found one-third of local organizations are concerned they may have to cease operations this year due to dwindling revenue.

Some 232 organizations took part in the survey that looks at the recession's impact as non-profits attempt to do more with less.

United Way spokeswoman Michelene Savarin said as many as 46 percent of those surveyed said they recruited more volunteers in 2010 to help provide services so they didn't have to turn people away.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

"Most of them responded that they had to use reserves to cover their budget because they were very reluctant to cut services. Some relied heavily on volunteers and others did have to lay off some staff," said Savarin.

Reduced government funding was ranked the number one concern by 47 percent of respondents when they were asked about the most significant challenges facing their organizations.

"Many are optimistic and they feel that because the economy is rebounding that there will be some good news in the future," Savarin added.

The survey found 54 percent of non-profits reporting revenue declines for 2010 compared to 28 percent three years earlier.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)