Cincinnati can't afford to lose federal support. Too many lives depend on it
When the cost of heating her apartment became too much to manage, a 54-year-old Navy veteran in Mount Auburn called United Way 211, our 24-hour helpline. Overwhelmed and unsure where to turn, she talked to a 211 coordinator who connected her to a local relief program.
"It was amazing what happened," she said.
We get calls like this every day − tens of thousands of requests for assistance a year from individuals and families. We listen carefully and make referrals based on our database of more than 1,200 agencies and 6,000 services.
These nonprofits are critical lifelines for our community, offering extensive support and stability to families, often in partnership with the federal government. We recently polled more than 100 of them and found they collectively delivered more than 1.2 million services with federal funding last year. That's the equivalent of providing a service to nearly one in every two people in the Greater Cincinnati region.
The challenges we face in our community are complex and interconnected. No single entity, no matter how dedicated or resourceful, can solve these issues alone − not the federal government, not local governments, nonprofits, or charitable organizations. Alongside hundreds of local nonprofits, we create a support network that can catch people before they fall through the cracks. Together, we can lift entire communities in ways that an individual organization cannot.
Nonprofits are essential to helping the federal government fulfill its obligations to citizens. Recent executive orders and administrative memos have increased the focus on federal grants and contracts. If federal funding is disrupted, two-thirds of nonprofits in our area say they would face tough decisions within six months regarding who gets services and who does not.
Federal funding accounts for more than $1 trillion in support for state and local programs. These programs provide services ranging from basic needs and housing to youth education and workforce development. Private philanthropy, however vital, is not a feasible alternative.
We were fortunate that the federal government made substantial investments to support our response to the economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, United Way partnered with local and state governments over the last four years to administer almost $40 million in federal funding to support our recovery.
Federal funding flows to state and local operations by design. This policy approach ensures that federal resources translate to meaningful support. Organizations nearest to communities are equipped to respond to their unique and evolving needs, making them indispensable to our community's stability. Without this funding, many of our neighbors could lose access to critical needs and support systems that can put them on a path to a better future.
We all have a stake in the well-being of our community. The partnership between federal agencies and the nonprofit sector is critical to maximizing impact while minimizing bureaucracy. When we're united, we strengthen systems that help our entire community thrive − now and in the future.
Moira Weir is president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: United Way: Federal funding cuts would harm local families | Opinion
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