29-01-2025
Arkansas nonprofit speaks on potential impacts of Trump administration federal funding freeze
BENTON, Ark. – Local nonprofits, including the Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC), said they are confused about the Trump administration's recent freeze on federal funding.
The White House says there is no pause on programs like social security, Medicare, food stamps, or student loans and scholarships, but the move created panic and confusion for groups that rely on the funds.
'Our mission is to elevate the causes and conditions of poverty, to help vulnerable populations achieve their potential, and to build strong communities here in Arkansas,' CADC Chief Executive Officer Randy Morris said.
Trump administration freezes nearly all federal loans and grants
'Well, initially, when you hear about it, of course, any kind of freeze or anything like that,' Morris said. 'You are wondering, 'Okay, what is it going to do to my agency? How is it going to affect my agency? How is it going to affect us being able to move forward with our mission?''
According to Morris, CADC receives state and federal funding that helps with its wide variety of programs that span 19 counties.
Morris said he had to take a moment, slow down, and breathe as the calls began to come in from the worried people they serve. That's when he said he started making his own calls.
'I have reached out to our state funders just to get information about it; of course, they haven't gotten all the guidance around it either,' Morris said.
Morris says everyone is in a state of confusion, but for him, it's simple.
'I know people are scared right now, they are worried right now, how is it going to affect the assistance that CADC does,' Morris said. 'Right now we are going to continue to operate as normal, continue to move forward as normal until we find out.'
Morris says only time will tell how or if this will affect them.
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump admin's freeze on federal grants, loans
On Tuesday, a federal judge blocked the move from the Trump administration minutes before it was scheduled to go into effect.
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