Posted July 8, 2008 10:14pm------------------------------------------------

"It's very critical. Funding is as critical a family as it is to Big Brothers Big Sister," says board executive director, Dora Zuniga.

Right now this non-profit organization is one of many that are experiencing a financial decline.

"Ticket sales are dramatically slower than they've been ever before in our 11 year history so we're concerned about that."

Big Brother Big Sister, and other not for profit organizations, receive money through private donors, grants and ticket sales to special events. But now their finding it hard to fund raise and can only speculate why.

"Obviously the economy is having an impact," says Marcia Hendrickson. "It's having an impact on us. Gas prices are impacting our operations too."

Like Big Brother Big Sister, the Boys and Girls Club just won't give up in finding funding for the organization. The smile that they see from the children their program helps is enough for them to keep working.

"It's the only other place I can go. I can't go anywhere else and it's fun too," say Boys and Girls Club regular, James Blilie.

The downside to a lack of funding means cutting back positions which is exactly what Family Connections of Wisconsin has experienced. They've terminated several positions including that of the executive director but the staff is still dedicated to serving children in Dane County.

"We laid off all of our staff," says Family Connection former employee, Laurie Bibo. "So right now there's currently nobody to run the programs although I'm staying on on a voluntary basis for now."

These non profits rely on the community to keep their services going and hope they'll soon see a change in funding so they can continue to help those in need.

"Right now we don't have any salary staffing money and we can't run the program without staff on board."

To donate to these organizations please visit their website for more information.

www.FamilyConnectionsofWI.org
www.BBBSMadison.com
Boys and Girls Club