The United Way of Butler County will look to focus its goals in the upcoming year in response to a projected $180,000 shortfall in its annual fundraising campaign.

When the current fiscal year concludes June 30, it will mark the second straight year the organization failed to reach its fundraising goal.

Executive director Leslie Osche said the United Way will have a 40 percent overall reduction in grants awarded to its partners in the next fiscal year to offset the lack of revenue.

Osche said cuts will not be across the board.

Instead, the United Way will be focusing in on specific goals and will fund the areas where it is having the most success.

The organization used its annual meeting Thursday to have the board of directors speak with its partner agencies to create new ideas to better its efforts.

Board president Josh Fye said the annual meeting this year differed from meetings in the past, when the gathering was used to present awards.

“With that change comes an opportunity for meaningful conversation to strengthen our partnerships,” Fye said.

The more than 30 representatives from partner agencies and board members gathered in groups and discussed ways the United Way can better focus on education, health, and financial stability, as well as how it improve its relationship with its partner agencies.

Osche presented a previously completed survey by its partner agencies that tallied their main concerns for the community.

Educational focuses center on early childhood education, specifically helping young children learn to read.

Financial initiatives included helping recruit new businesses to the area and connecting workers with services to help maintain employment.

Members also indicated a need for safe places to exercise and play in neighborhoods, as well as increasing coordination between health care providers and community services as areas to improve health.

Osche said just because the United Way is focusing on a specific area does not mean it will be the driving force in the county to improve it. She cited recruiting new businesses as an area the organization can play a supportive role.

In terms of better connecting the United Way with its agencies, one idea that stood out to Osche was to hold quarterly meetings instead on one annual meeting.

Osche said the United Way will take the suggestions gathered at the meeting and compose additional lists and surveys, which will be discussed at a later meeting — perhaps the first quarterly meeting of the year.

The next fundraising campaign is set to begin Sept. 4.