COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Focus on the Family is laying off 30 employees and reassigning 15 others, due in part to a drop in projected revenue and to growth in technology.
Most of the layoffs are in the department that answers mail and telephone requests, while the reassignments were prompted by growth in e-mail and Internet-based communications, said Gary Schneeberger, vice president of communications for the conservative Christian ministry.
The layoffs announced Monday represent about 3 percent of the work force of 1,205.
The changes take effect Sept. 21, before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Focus President and CEO Jim Daly said the nonprofit organization’s revenue was projected to rise $1 million in fiscal 2006-2007 from the previous fiscal year, but the increase wasn’t enough to offset inflation.
“Our budget was fairly aggressive. The projected budget was $150 million. It looks like it will come in about $8 million under, at $142 million,” Schneeberger said.
Dobson has said on several of his radio shows that donations have fallen.
Many churches and parachurch organizations are seeing decreases in income, especially amid economic woes and the housing downturn, according to Terry Gorka, head administrator at The Barna Group, a California-based research organization that tracks Christian ministries.
Severance packages for laid-off employees will include contributions to health care, job-placement assistance and financial compensation.
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Information from: The Gazette,
