The organization's budget will drop to $138 million.
Focus on the Family will drop 202 positions - about 15 percent of its staff - in the coming weeks, the Colorado Springs Gazette reports.
The organization will layoff 149 employees and eliminate 53 vacant positions on its staff of about 1,200 people. Its budget will be reduced from $160 million this year to $138 million in 2009, Bill Reed writes.
Barb Cotter, an editor at the Gazette, wants to know if the organization could have saved money had it not donated $500,000-plus donation to Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage. "It all has to do with the division between Focus and its political arm, Focus on the Family Action, and a host of IRS and nonprofit rules that come into play," she writes.
The Gazette wrote earlier that this comes on the heels of Focus' announcement in October that 46 employees would be reassigned or laid off next year.
The Colorado Independent writes that the organization employed more than 1,500 people in 1991. But in 2006, the ministry cut nearly 30 positions and did not fill 83 positions, and in 2007, it dropped another 30 positions. In 2003, the ministry's budget was about $125 million and it employed about 1,300 people.
Posted by Sarah Pulliam on November 17, 2008 3:40PM
Comments
Could someone get Barb Cotter a calculator? There is a little bit of gap between $500,000 and $22 million. She might have a point to make, in that Focus has become increasingly political in so many respects and that may have turned away donors.
Posted by: Dan at November 17, 2008
It turns out that the $500k came from Focus' general budget, not its political arm. They say it has something to do with California law, according to our reporter. But Focus says donations are down, so not sure how far that money could have gone toward payroll. Check our blog at http://thepulpit.freedomblogging.com for the update.
Posted by: Barbara Cotter at November 17, 2008
Why should the Government be involved in regulating marriages on any way? It is a religious agreement. Until recently, prior to birth control and DNA confirmation, there was some basis for the government to be involved. In the world today, there is no need for any regulations. Pre-nuptial agreements, divorces, and so on, are civil agreements. Let the religious institutions set their own criteria to grant marriages. Let there be marriages between a man and a woman, men and women, a man and a woman, a woman and men, and Sarah Siverman and her dog named “Duck”. Why should anyone not involved with the partnership be involved? Perhaps the solution is to have a California Constitutional Amendment, not have any role in marriages, just domestic partnerships.
Posted by: Larry Linn at November 17, 2008
The bottom line, and how sad this all is for those losing their jobs, is that the organization has lost it's focus in its zeal to tell us as Christians what we're supposed to believe politically. I no longer want anything to do with this group, and I used to utilize resources, trust its leadership and pass information on to others in my ministry areas, but now, who wants to donate to this domineering and no longer as effective bundle of negativity? We have a new president, he is a democrat, he is a Christian and let's spend our efforts and our finances on helping rebuild hope rather than tearing down those who look at life through another lens.
Posted by: Karen at November 18, 2008
Perhaps the reason for the drop in income is the Focus on the Families decision to go "political". Ever since he decided that his viewers should know how he stands on issues from Washington DC I have quit listening. He should have gotten the message when Barack Obama attracted 60,000 people to his Springs rally.Perhaps it is time to recognize that Rick Warren is now the spokesperson for the Evangelicals and has moved its headquarters back to LA.
Posted by: Joe Kramarz at November 18, 2008
Thank You Focus on the Family for your support on Proposition 8. California was able to, once again, protect the traditional marriage admendment by 52%. However, tolerance is not a word used or considered for the opposition. Since the elections, churches, individuals and communities have been attacked with threatening demonostrations.
Many pastors, churches, businesses, and para church agencies worked tirelessly for promoting "Yes on 8" and we must continue committed for what is right before God.
Blessings to you from California, Naomi
Posted by: Naomi at November 18, 2008
I know I won't be ever giving money to FoF because of their political slant.
Posted by: Adam S at November 20, 2008
The need to support initiatives like Prop 8 is a necessary expense, due in part to the media's continual pandering to gays and their political activity. So, perhaps Barb, people lost their jobs because of YOU.
And what's your political "slant", Adam? If you voted in the last election - you have a political "slant". At least FOTF stands up for their values and makes a positive difference in society. Put your head back in the sand Adam and let the rest of us do the heavy lifting...
On second thought, great idea. I won't be paying taxes for the next four years due to the federal government's new political slant. Maybe you can arrage that for us, Adam.
Posted by: DMA at November 21, 2008
Focus on family have lost their focus. It was just a matter of time before donors figured it out. Conservatives don't speak for Christians - Dobson should have stuck with helping families and kept out of the political area. He could have offered hope and support for many families, instead he instilled fear and hate.
Posted by: Sue at November 21, 2008
I salute you FoF for standing for proposition 8. It was exactly how one "Focuses on the Family" - the type of family that God created and therefore intended. God will bless you.
Posted by: Susan at January 23, 2009
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