(RNS) Focus on the Family has announced 110 job cuts in the latest round of layoffs that the Colorado ministry attributes to the departure of founder James Dobson and the reduced financial support from donors.
“This is not a happy time, obviously, having to say `goodbye’ to some of our ministry family,” said Focus spokesman Gary Schneeberger in a Monday (Aug. 2) statement.
“But our mission, and the measure of our success, isn’t how many of us work here; it’s whether those of us who work here are helping families thrive. We are, and we will keep doing so — robustly.”
Dobson departed the Colorado-based ministry in February after hosting its flagship radio program for more than 30 years.
“Business analysts say it’s not unusual to see organizations transitioning from a founder’s leadership lose 50 percent or more of their support,” Schneeberger said. “We feel blessed that even though the pain of these reductions is very real, we have not been affected to that degree. We still expect to receive more than $100 million this year from our friends — that’s a lot of resources to do a lot of good work.”
Dobson, 74, started a new program, “Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson” in May.
The cuts, the result of a $27 million budget reduction, bring Focus’
staff total to 750. At its peak, the ministry had 1,400 employees.
— Adelle M. Banks
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