Impact of a potential freeze on federal funding for non-profits in Central New York
Impact of a potential freeze on federal funding for non-profits in Central New York
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Many are expressing concern over an array of programs that could be on the chopping block in Central New York. Federal funding helps different grant programs for housing, public safety operations, infrastructure, education and more.
'We get so much federal money…in the hundreds of millions…that come to the city and the school district alone,' Alexander Marion, City of Syracuse auditor, said. 'Plus…billions…once you factor in money that goes to other people in the community every day.'
Onondaga County Comptroller Martin Masterpole said the county received $946 million in federal funding in 2023. He also predicted that the total will be even higher for this past year, emphasizing the importance of aid from the federal government.
'There could be terrible consequences, right…especially the smaller, non-profit, the harder it's going to hit,' said Masterpole.
Federal funding also helps non-profit organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, feed seniors who are part of a lower income tax bracket. Many of them are also homebound.
'As a result of that funding…we grew from a mom-and-pop Meals on Wheels program to what we are now and that is…feeding almost 800 people 240,000 meals,' Mason Kaufman, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels for Syracuse, said.
If the ban goes into effect and becomes long-term, non-profits could be hit hard.
'We're talking about older folks here,' Kaufman said. 'My mom gets Meals on Wheels…she's in another area but she's 97 years old. What's she going to do if she can't get that kind of food? What are other people going to do who can relate to that?'
A statement from Catholic Charities of Onondaga County on the potential funding freeze can be seen below:
'Here is what we can say for sure: A temporary freeze of federal funding, while unwelcomed, is something we can plan around for the short term. If this temporary freeze becomes a permanent loss of federal funding for programs that serve the most vulnerable members of our community, then this is a much larger issue not only for Catholic Charities, but our community and the nation. It seems that February 10th will prove to be a critical moment for every individual who receives some form of service funded by the federal government.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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