'We've been paying attention' — Resilience grant is Legacy response to nonprofit cuts
Legacy Foundation has committed $600,000 to shore up slashed budgets for nonprofit organizations hit by state and federal budget cuts.
Officials announced the new Lake County Resilience Grant program Thursday in Merrillville with several nonprofit leaders sharing the impact of the government funding cuts to their organizations.
'Huge cuts to state and federal funding have left many local organizations in survival mode,' said Legacy Foundation president and CEO Kelly Anoe. Legacy is Lake County's 30-year-old community foundation that relies on donors for its own funding.
'They're being forced to make heartbreaking choices, cutting staff, reducing hours, scaling back services, and in some cases wondering if they can stay open,' she said.
Anoe said government cuts impact more than just nonprofit personnel and projects.
'It could mean that a mom can't get the mental health services she needs. It could mean that a kid loses their after-school program to keep them safe during after school hours. A senior might miss their meal delivery service.'
Anoe said thousands of lives are impacted by the abrupt funding cuts.
'At Legacy Foundation, we've been paying attention,' she said.
Annie Massie, co-executive director of the Northwest Indiana Food Council, detailed the plight of her nonprofit, founded in 2016 to help farmers make a living and become less vulnerable.
She found out in March the U.S. Department of Agriculture canceled its funding after it had secured funding last year.
Massie said it pulled the rug out from under state agencies and nonprofits but more importantly it hurt small farmers and schools in the Farm to School program that provides local produce to 140 schools in 34 Northwest Indiana districts.
'Our farmers are devastated to say the least,' said Massie. She said some small farms may close 'because they put their faith in the USDA to honor their word in their contracts.'
Just recently, Lakeshore Public Media found out the state eliminated its funding, which accounted for 30% of Lakeshore's funding.
'Resilience and adapt, and that's where we are,' said Chuck Roberts, Lakeshore's president and CEO. 'It's time to adapt who we are, and what we do to still try to provide the services to Northwest Indiana.'
Roberts said Lakeshore Public Media's mission is community outreach and community service to tell the stories of the people who live in Northwest Indiana.
In recent weeks, President Donald Trump issued an executive order defunding of PBS and National Public Radio, calling their programming slanted and 'woke propaganda disguised as 'news.'' The order has been challenged in court.
Roberts thanked the Legacy Foundation 'for believing in these stories, believing in the people and bringing the resilience and adaptability that we need.'
Other speakers included Josh Austin, executive director of City Life Center in Gary; Andrea Sherwin, president and CEO of Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana and Jennifer Trowbridge, president and CEO of CoAction.
City Life Center provides after-school academic programs, and wrap-around mental health services for family members and clothing giveaways for children.
Austin said government cuts took about 40 to 50% of his budget.
'Funding cuts directly threaten our ability to positively impact the lives of these young people, as well as their families,' he said.
Sherman said Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana serves about 4,000 families in Northwest Indiana. About 80 to 85% percent of its clients are small children ages 0 to 4.
Her staff of about 100 employees make about 15,000 home visits annually.
'Our entire goal is on the early intervention or prevention side of mental health,' she said.
'Many of the executive orders have created uncertainty around funding, an increased administrative burden, and narrowed the flexibility needed to provide mental health and Family Wellness services in Northwest Indiana,' she said.
Those who suffer the most are children facing trauma in communities already living at the margins, she said.
Trowbridge said CoAction, based in Crown Point, offers housing support, federal energy assistance, and aging and disability services.
She said cutbacks will mean a 5% drop for aging and disability services. She also said $10 million in federal energy assistance could be at risk.
Anoe said nonprofits are able to apply for a Resilience grant on Legacy's website, legacyfdn.org.
Organizations must show documented financial losses that are a direct result of federal or state funding cuts or terminated contracts. Eligible organizations can apply for up to 25% of their loss with a maximum of $40,000 within a year.
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