Federal funding cuts force Englewood nonprofit to lay off outreach workers
Federal funding cuts led to the cancellation of a grant for Think Outside Da Block, an Englewood nonprofit focused on violence prevention and community outreach.
The organization laid off more than half its outreach team, raising concerns about increased summer violence without their presence.
Community members can support by volunteering, donating, or attending events — including a karaoke fundraiser this Friday at 6 p.m. near Ashland and Marquette.
CHICAGO - A nonprofit in Englewood dedicated to building peaceful communities is feeling the effects of federal budget cuts.
What we know
As federal program cuts continue to take a toll on organizations nationwide, one Englewood nonprofit—dedicated to building peaceful communities—is being forced to make tough changes.
The organization's loss of critical government support reflects a broader shift in priorities at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Think Outside Da Block is a nonprofit based on the city's South Side that focuses on youth development, violence interruption, and outreach.
It is a member organization in a coalition of nonprofits notified last month that one of its grants was being terminated by the DOJ.
Recently, founder Pha'Tal Perkins had no choice but to make difficult decisions that could dismantle years of community progress. He's had to lay off five of eight outreach staffers due to reduced federal support.
"It's devastating to our community as some of these individuals are extremely influential and respected in our community and have been able to mediate conflicts and deter violence on the front end," Perkins said.
Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI), which secured the grant funding, received the notification letter from the Department of Justice on April 22, 2025. In total, $3.7 million has been revoked from three nonprofits in its coalition — including Think Outside Da Block.
MPI Executive Director Vaughn Bryant is fighting the decision and has already submitted a formal appeal.
Bryant issued the following statement to FOX 32 Chicago on Wednesday:
"Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, a division of Metropolitan Family Services, serves those at highest risk of becoming shooting victims or perpetrators of violence themselves. Any life lost to gun violence is one too many. When the DOJ cut $3.7 million of funding to three nonprofits in our coalition, that had an immediate effect on communities like Englewood, West Englewood, and Woodlawn. With a 50 percent reduction in homicides and a 38 percent reduction in shooting victimizations from 2021 to 2025, we know that Community Violence Intervention (CVI) works. We, along with our partners at CPD, are saving lives. Having buy-in and collaboration on the federal level is vital to supporting CVI programming across Chicago. We've appealed the DOJ decision and are hopeful we can come to a swift resolution."
Think Outside Da Block was founded in 2016 by Pha'Tal Perkins, who was born, raised, and still lives in Englewood.
"Just after taking a wrong path, realizing I wanted better for myself, I wanted better for my community," Perkins said of his inspiration for the organization.
With or without that funding, Perkins said his work will continue—showing community members that there is a future beyond their own block.
"We all want to go through this summer peacefully, it's going to take all of us to work together," Perkins said.
What you can do
You can help by volunteering, donating, or attending one of the organization's events.
This Friday, May 30, Think Outside Da Block is hosting a karaoke event at 6 p.m. near Ashland Avenue and Marquette Road.
On Wednesday, June 4 from 5 to 7 p.m., the organization is teaming up with Chicago's SAFE Ambassadors to hold bike-riding lesson in advance of its upcoming 'Roll N Peace' community bike ride.
The Roll N Peace ride, which is held annually, will take place on Friday, June 13 starting at 4 p.m. in Ogden Park (6500 South Racine Avenue). The 'roll off' is planned for 8 p.m. and interested participants can text "ROLLNPEACE" to 708-438-7300 to learn more.
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