United Way of Kitsap County grants started being sent out last month, $75,000 less than the year before, and the agency’s executive doesn’t see donations picking back up for another year or two.

The total amount of money was about $1.07 million, about $75,000 less than was dispersed in 2009, said David Foote, executive director.

“It’s a lot,” he said. “We collected less and had less to give.”

The current fundraising cycle doesn’t promise more, he said.

“I would have to hazard a guess it’s not going to be any better this year.”

Among the recipients are the Central Kitsap Food Bank, $70,108, Hospice of Kitsap County, $63,673, Kitsap Community Resources, $94,72, and Kitsap Family YMCA, $49,258.

Foote said he doesn’t expect donations to pick up for another one to two years.

“The economy is not picking up, employment has not picked up, I don’t see that it’s going to get any better.”