Local charities that waited months for money from Tucson's United Way have received the overdue cash for programs to aid the needy.
More than $440,000 was disbursed this week to 29 nonprofits, some of which had waited for payment since October.
But how promptly those charities will be paid in the future -they'll be owed another $440,000 or so by June - remains in question as auditors continue sorting out United Way's long-term financial picture.
The board of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona hired the auditors last month after learning the agency's management had lost track of how much cash was available to make payments to local charities.
United Way's failure to keep close track of its finances has been strongly criticized by experts in charity management, who question how such a situation could have been allowed to occur.
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On Monday, United Way officials plan to meet with the heads of partner charities to update them on the situation.
Ron Sable, chairman of United Way's board of directors said the fact United Way was able to catch up on delinquent payments is a positive sign.
"For the first time in a while, I have a good feeling about where this is going," Sable said in a phone interview.
A permanent fix won't happen quickly.
"This is not going to be a short-term, get-out-of-the-woods situation," he said. "It's going to take a while because it didn't happen overnight."
Agency spokesman Dan Duncan said auditors have so far determined that, as of Nov. 30, the United Way had about $630,000 in unrestricted cash in the bank.
That represents about 10 percent of all the money United Way has - about $6.3 million.
Most of it has strings attached, such as grants and donations earmarked for specific charities. The restricted monies were paid out on time, officials have said.
Meanwhile, United Way today launched a nationwide search for a new president and chief executive.
Ed Parker, who has been with United Way for more than 30 years, announced in August that he's leaving the $180,000 a year job when his contract expires in June.
United Way also is in the market for a new finance chief. The current one, Chuck Wagner of Phoenix, resigned last week, less than three months after he was hired. Wagner is leaving to tend to the health needs of a family member, said Duncan.
United Way also is reviewing its contracting procedures after a firm owned by the wife of a former board chairman received more than $100,000 worth of marketing contracts in recent years. That review is under way.
Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at 573-4138 or calaimo@azstarnet.com
