Rotten economy or not, the United Way of West Central Mississippi has exceeded its 2009 goal, which will mean more money for local service groups.

Tuesday’s announcement said volunteers raised $1,423,977 — 2 percent above a targeted $1,400,000 — to be dispersed among the United Way’s 20 member agencies during 2010.

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It wasn’t a record for the local franchise of the national combined charity campaign, often celebrated as one of the most effective small community chapters, but exceeding the goal brought a sense of accomplishment. The 2008 goal was $1,525,000 and  $1,347,180, or 88 percent of the goal was raised.

Tami Milazzo, director of community investments for United Way, said funding to each agency this year was determined by the amount allocated in 2009.

“As long as we made our goal, they were going to get what they made last year. Since we went over goal, they got a little more,” Milazzo said.

All received more funding for 2010 except MIDD-West, which requested the same amount as the past year, Executive Director Barbara Tolliver said. “They’re running the same program as last year,” said Tolliver.

Tolliver said she and others had reservations about meeting the goal during a bitter local and national economy. “We were looking at nationally what was happening, and how it might trickle down to the local communities,” she said. “Right now, everybody is so mindful of the bottom line that we’re all cutting corners and cutting back and working with limited staff to get the job done.”

The United Way approach is to pool fundraising efforts of charities, to keep costs of raising money low and to allow agency staffers to focus on providing services.

About $774,100 will be dispersed to agencies, and the remainder will be used to cover costs, Tolliver said.

Donations will benefit work in Claiborne, Sharkey, Issaquena, Yazoo and Warren counties as well as in Madison Parish in Louisiana.

Milazzo appreciated exceeding their expectations, but admitted the group still needs $220,000 to fully fund every agency.

Many did not receive as much as they requested, and the additional funds would make up the difference.

The campaign started on Sept. 4 and United Way reached 27 percent of its goal by receiving $372,037.38 in donations during a Pace-setter campaign in July and August. The Pacesetters are 10 businesses and the Vicksburg Warren School District.

The group plans to spend more time with each agency in 2010 redefining some goals and objectives while strengthening programs, rather than raising funds, Tolliver said.

“We’re changing the way fundraising’s done. Next year, we’re going on a two-year cycle,” said Milazzo. “Doing it this way will better educate volunteers.”

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Contact Tish Butts at tbutts@vicksburgpost.com