WKTV covers non-profits making adjustments during economic downturn

WKTV offered the following story about how the economic downturn has impacted two local non-profits, the Utica Zoo and Oneida County Historical Society, and what adjustments they are making in response. Click here for the video.

The Utica Zoo has lost significant funding and revenue over the past 6 8 weeks according to Executive Director Beth Irons. To deal with the problem, the Zoo has tried to get creative.
"We lost our snow leopard, rather than trying to think of something else we can put in that space the exhibit space was dismantled, the exhibits that are currently empty there is no active plan to bring in new animals," said Irons.

The Oneida County Historical Society lost about $20,000 in county funding in addition to several corporate sponsors recently. Creative changes and an spike in membership has boosted cost cutting measures.

"We've replaced our incandescent bulbs with compact florescent we've installed storm windows through a state grant we had received a few years ago and we have reduced our energy consumption significantly," said Brian Howard Executive Director of the Historical Society.

Andrew Marietta of The New York Council of Nonprofits says he is not seeing many efforts to collaborate among non profit groups in the Mohawk Valley.

"They are talking about it they are exploring opportunities but I think what they are finding is that these things are more complicated to put in place than first glance," Marietta said.

The Zoo found that out first hand as it tried to save on insurance costs by joining a medical group used by the Mid-York Library System but according to Irons, were told they didn't fit the requirements.

Howard says the Historical Society's cost cutting measures have been enough to avoid consolidation.

Howard and Irons say if the economy continues to worsen, they will likely need to probe further to see what costs could be cut and that may include consolidating services in the future.