Local United Way leaders are sounding alarm bells as their 2009 fundraising campaign faces a $160,000 shortfall, warning that the nonprofit groups they support could have to cut services unless donations pick up.

The shortfall represents nearly 7 percent of the United Way of Denton County’s fundraising goal of $2.45 million. The organization is extending the campaign deadline through the end of the month and planning eleventh-hour strategies to make up the difference.

If the effort falls short, service agencies could have to cut staff and programs, even as they face soaring demand, said Lilia Chavez Bynum, the president and chief executive officer of the local United Way.

“There’s definitely concern,” Bynum said. “The needs are great and the capacity for giving is here in our community. So what we’re trying to do is tap into those who have not supported United Way in the past and have maybe been thinking about supporting United Way and haven’t done so to please consider it now. We don’t want to see any of the [service-cutting] scenarios happen.”

Individual pledges and donations are actually up compared with the same period last year because more people are participating. But corporate contributions are down by nearly $167,000 — a dip attributable to the economy, Bynum said.

“I believe it’s catching up with us now,” she said, noting that the organization was mostly unaffected last year as United Way affiliates struggled nationwide.

Donations help fund United Way and its 26 partner agencies, which provide various community services, including child and senior care, health care and crisis assistance.

Campaign leaders have said they set an ambitious fundraising target knowing demand for social services would be up because of the recession. The goal is higher than last year’s target of $2.38 million, but slightly less than the $2.46 million actually raised in 2008, according to the United Way.

“It’s incredibly important that people understand this is a very, very challenging time for all of the nonprofit organizations in the community, because people are suffering at this point,” said Gary Henderson, the chief executive officer of Communities in Schools of North Texas, a United Way partner that offers dropout-prevention programs at area schools. “The people we serve need us now more than ever.”

Partner agencies don’t rely solely on the United Way for funding, but they count on aid from the annual fundraising campaign when planning their budgets, officials say. A United Way committee is expected to meet early next year to consider how to allocate money from the 2009 campaign and deal with any shortages.

Partner agencies reported to United Way what would happen if their aid were cut by 10 percent in the coming year.

For Denton Christian Preschool, that would mean losing one of 10 staff positions and closing one of five classrooms — a devastating blow to a preschool that already has a long waiting list, said executive director Judith Royal.

“We’re certainly hoping for something better,” she said. “We’re hoping that more donations come in for United Way and we will not have to face that scenario.”

The preschool, which serves low-income families, relies on the United Way for nearly half of its budget, Royal said.

“The situation that faces us is the same one that faces so many nonprofits,” she said. “At a time when donations are slow to come in, the need for services is increasing.”

LOWELL BROWN can be reached at 940-566-6882. His e-mail address is lmbrown@dentonrc.com .

• American Red Cross, Denton Branch

• Ann’s Haven VNA

• The Arc of Denton County

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas

• Boy Scouts-Longhorn Council

• Child Study Center

• Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County

• Communities in Schools of North Texas

• Court Appointed Special Advocates of Denton County (CASA)

• Day Stay for Adults

• Denton Christian Preschool

• Denton City County Day School

• Denton County Friends of the Family

• Family Resource Center of North Texas

• Fred Moore Day Nursery School

• Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas

• Health Services of North Texas

• HOPE Inc.

• Interfaith Ministries

• The People’s Clinic of Denton County

• Pilot Point Goodfellows

• Reading and Radio Resource

• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

• Salvation Army of Denton

• SPAN (Special Programs for Aging Needs)

• SW Diabetic Foundation-Camp Sweeney

HOW TO HELP

For more information, call the United Way at 940-566-5851 or visit www.unitedwaydenton.org .