And although campaign leaders hope they can still make up the $700,000 difference, they won't rule out that some United Way-supported programs might end up with less money or be cut entirely.

Officials made the projection Saturday after crunching figures from individual campaigns already in.

With the wrap-up date of Oct. 28 rapidly approaching, volunteers are scurrying to ask for more from large donors, businesses winding up their campaigns and firms that haven't contributed before.

"It's going to take a lot of hard work and some commitment on the part of the community to close the gap," said James Schwab, campaign co-chair.

"It's not going to be done with one or two gifts."

The region last year ranked 11th in the nation in money given to United Way, but the last three or four years haven't been easy, officials say.

Last year, United Way raised $60.5 million but struggled until the final weeks to meet its goal, and had to cut $200,000 from the $50.2 million it gave to local social-service organizations.

The year before, the campaign brought in $60.2 million, $2 million shy of its goal.

"We get great support, but we've really had difficulty in getting dramatic growth in the number, and I think that's a reflection of the economy," Schwab said.

That's not surprising, economists and others say.

"People are going to give based on their expectations," said George Vredeveld, professor and director of the economics center for education and research at the University of Cincinnati.

"If they think that the economy is not going to perform as well, or their economic expectation doesn't look as good in the future, they'll cut back," Vredeveld said.

Cutbacks haven't only affected United Way.

The Salvation Army said Saturday that it expects to take in as much as $180,000 less in the Columbus area during this year's Christmas campaign, blaming anti-solicitation policies at some stores.

The Columbus chapter of the Christian charity expects the losses to total about 36 percent of the $500,000 it usually collects.

"It's just a tough time for nonprofits, period," said Carol Aquino, a United Way spokeswoman.

But Northern Kentucky might prove a bright spot.

Boone, Campbell, Kenton and Grant counties are short by less than $100,000 and are likely to meet their target, said Eric Summe, volunteer chairman for Northern Kentucky, part of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati campaign.

With about 60 percent of its campaigns reporting, "we're behind, but we feel confident we're going to make the goal," he said.

Summe said companies he's talked to have cited cutbacks in spending, consolidations and higher health-care costs as some reasons for lowered giving.

A number of agencies receiving support from United Way also run their own campaigns, such as Redwood Rehabilitation Center in Fort Mitchell, he said.

"There are more and more organizations out there today in fund-raising activities," Summe said.

To donate, call (513) 762-7100.

E-mail loakes@enquirer.com. The Associated Press contributed.