Focus on the Family Lays Off 202 Workers
by Michelle Garcia for The Advocate:
Focus on the Family will eliminate 202 jobs, making it the biggest layoff in the history of James Dobson's Christian ministry, based in Colorado Springs, Colo. The nonprofit's budget has been adjusted from $160 million in the 2008 fiscal year to $138 million, according to The Gazette of Colorado Springs.
The cuts were made after a fall in donations, and officials expect finances to fall even harder between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Coincidentally, layoffs were announced just after California voters passed Proposition 8, banning marriage between same-sex couples. Focus on the Family contributed a total of $622,000 in cash and services to pass California's marriage ban, making it the seventh largest donor in the country for the cause, according to The Colorado Independent.
Fifty-three vacant positions will not be filled, and 149 employees will be laid off, bringing the staff's head count to 950 employees.
Spokesman Gary Schneeberger said Monday that the organization has notified the affected employees, who will learn about their transition packages this week.
At the height of its popularity, Focus on the Family employed more than 1,500 people in 1991. Monday's announcement marks the third time that the ministry has had to make large cutbacks. Nearly 80 employees were reassigned or laid off in September 2005, and 30 workers were laid off in September 2007.
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