Rochester, NY (WHAM) – The Salvation Army of Greater Rochester is among the local nonprofits losing critical funding as the United Way of Greater Rochester of the Finger Lakes makes significant cuts.
The United Way will cut its overall funding from previous years by nearly half as it awards nearly $6 million in multi-year grants to 97 nonprofits. The Salvation Army will lose about 85% of critical United Way funding. The nonprofit, like many others, is desperately searching for solutions.
BACKGROUND: United Way of Greater Rochester drastically cuts funding, hurting local nonprofits|Local nonprofits unite as United Way funding cuts threaten vital programs|Geneva YMCA faces United Way funding cuts, threatening key afterschool program|United Way of Greater Rochester reveals part of reduced list of 2025 funding recipients
The Salvation Army has been providing vital humanitarian services in the Rochester area for 140 years.
Major Rick Starkey is the Salvation Army’s director of operations in Monroe County.
“This is our program here, right behind me, the Emergency Family Services Program, where we meet basic human needs,” said Major Rick Starkey, the organization’s Monroe County operations director.
Starkey said the program serves up to 9,000 clients each year. To date, the program has received $600,000 from United Way’s Community Impact Fund. In 2025, that amount will drop to $85,000.
“The numbers are just crazy when you think about it,” Starkey said. “Normally we would spread $600,000 over 12 months. Now we’re spreading $85,000 over 12 months. That doesn’t even pay a single employee.”
Starkey said many people rely on The Salvation Army’s services for their everyday needs and that up to 100 people come through the door every day.
“Whether it’s food, baby diapers, milk powder, toiletries or even other assistance with utilities or rent,” he said.
The United Way attributed the significant funding cuts, announced on August 9, to declining donations since the pandemic. Later this week, the organization is expected to announce details of its so-called $2 million in “bridge funding” for affected nonprofits.
“It takes staff,” Starkey said. “We have six staff members in this department, from case managers to people who hand out food to a director.”
Starkey added that cuts to United Way funding for Foodlink will impact The Salvation Army’s food distribution.
“That’s a big chunk of money that we’re losing and we need to recoup,” Starkey said, “especially when it’s not just about us, but about the entire social services community in Rochester.”
MORE: Foodlink says it will no longer receive ‘critical’ funding from United Way|Canandaigua Salvation Army asks for help amid funding uncertainty and high food costs
