Economic Hardships Hit Las Vegas Charities
August 8, 2008 | Read Time: 1 minute
The Nevada Cancer Institute laid off 50 workers Thursday and said its donations have suffered due to the worsening economy, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“Today is an unfortunate reflection of a difficult economic backdrop,” said Heather Murren, the charity’s co-founder. “We’re not unique in feeling a slowdown in the economy.” In 2007, the institute raised a little more than $50 million in contributions, including gifts, grants, and government support, down from $66 million in 2006. Ms. Murren said the institute met its fundraising goals in the first quarter of 2008, but the second quarter was weaker.
Dan Goulet, president and CEO of the United Way of Southern Nevada, highlights the cancer institute’s experience as an indication of widespread challenges among charities in Las Vegas. “These are challenging times for many of us in Southern Nevada, and nonprofit organizations aren’t immune to economic downturns,” he said.
