KIRKSVILLE, MO -- This is the end of the road for the 2011 United Way campaign.

The goal was $275,000, but United Way Executive Director John Dungan told us that the organization only received $204,000 over a two month period.

Dungan says that since this was his first experience with the campaign, he did run into some road bumps.

“There was a lot of materials to get out to people and a lot of contacts to make.  And I didn’t get all of those made before the campaign started.  In fact, we were still making contacts late into the campaign. So, next year one of my hopes and my plan is to have all of our materials ready to go at the beginning of the campaign and get that out so that people have plenty of time to respond,” said Dungan.

Dungan says that he will also be more accessible to go out to places of employment to share united way’s mission and what donations support.

One of the reasons the goal may have not been reached this year was the campaign ended a month earlier than last year to help with more accurate planning.

“That also our agencies plan for the coming year because they have to budget…they’re planning their budgets starting first and it’s a little awkward for them to plan their budget starting January first when they don’t find out what they’re funding is until halfway through January,” explained Dungan.

Dungan tells KTVO that because the united Way board decided to move that date back one month, just under $20,000 was used to off-set the total goal.

Dungan also said that there will be some consideration given to lowering the goal for next year.

Overall Dungan says he’s happy with the adventure.

“This has been a fabulous experience and I’m very much looking forward to next year and I’m excited about what we’re able to support. I’m very much excited that the board decided to use a bit of our reserves on a low year to kind of keep our funding even.”