This paper examines issues identified in a qualitative study in nine diverse local service systems as program administrators of early intervention programs for young children with disabilities sought to obtain United Way funding and other sources of philanthropy. Data are based on issues raised in nine focus groups conducted with community leaders. The communities represented low, medium, and high population/resource density settings. The two primary issues which emerged from the focus groups are analyzed at some depth. The first was that United Way funding is extremely limited (i.e., non-existent, decreasing, or unable to match program/community growth). The second was that the limited availability of United Way funding in some communities contributes to competition among agencies and programs. Implications are drawn for community-based non-governmental funding in the following situations: when the local economy declines; when economic development by community leaders has unintended consequences; when leadership of primary employers is absent from community fundraising; when competition heightens; when program administrators adapt fundraising to meet United Way guidelines; and when local service systems adapt to meet United Way criteria for service delivery. Suggested strategies and recommendations to program administrators of early intervention programs are offered. (Contains 11 references.) (DB)