Nonprofits Would Feel Pinch if General Dynamics Moves : Charity: The March of Dimes and United Way would be among many local organizations to feel a big gap in fund-raising and employee support of events if the Convair division leaves town.

Local charitable, philanthropic and arts organizations are going to miss the corporate largess and leadership that General Dynamics executives have provided through the years. But what they really dread is the loss of the major charitable and philanthropic work done by the company’s employees.

“A lot of General Dynamics’ involvement has been through its employees,” said Dani Montague, director of the San Diego-Imperial Chapter of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. “They always come together (to the chapter’s yearly walkathon) and walk as a team representing General Dynamics.”

Last year, for example, General Dynamics’ employees pledged $44,581 of the $420,000 that the chapter raised through its annual walk.

Because of General Dynamics’ size--it employs 13,500 in San Diego--and its payroll--$220 million annually--its employees, by sheer numbers, also play a key role in United Way of San Diego drives.

Employees at General Dynamics’ three local divisions have pledged more than $11 million during the past 12 years to the United Way. In 1991, Convair, Electronics and Space Systems Division employees contributed $1.2 million of the $30 million that the local United Way raised through employee deductions.

The threat of General Dynamics leaving town presents a “double whammy,” said Gene Louden, United Way of San Diego spokesman. The unemployed can’t make donations and are “quite likely to be needing some of our services,” Louden said.

The impending loss of General Dynamics’ missile operation is only the latest of a series of departures of corporations that have given profusely to local arts and charitable causes.

Previously, San Diego-based Pacific Southwest Airlines was acquired by USAir and three major savings-and-loan institutions--Great American Bank, Imperial Savings and HomeFed Bank--have either been seized or soon will be by regulators.

All were large, high-profile companies that were known as solid donors that would respond to requests. But General Dynamics, although a large company, hasn’t developed the high charitable profile that other local companies have.

That’s because, unlike banks, utilities and grocery chains, defense contractors spend relatively little time currying favor with the public. Instead, they concentrate their efforts on lobbying the key Pentagon and congressional leaders who award the contracts.

General Dynamics went about its charitable and civic obligations in what spokesmen for various nonprofit institutions have described in a quiet and efficient manner.

Figures on the total donated by the company are unavailable, but spokesmen for groups described the company as one of the most important donors in town.

“General Dynamics never really seemed to have (publicity) as a primary objective of their support,” said Domenick Ietto, development director for the Old Globe Theatre. “They felt they were a major presence (in business circles) and felt they should be a major presence” in appropriate philanthropic circles, Ietto said.

The company recently contributed $100,000 to the Old Globe’s Theatre Advancement Campaign. And, its executives have served on the Old Globe’s board of directors, Ietto said. Company officials and employees gave cash contributions, provided in-kind services and bought tickets for productions.

“Naturally, it’s been difficult for us to face the loss of another large employer,” Ietto said.