HONOLULU (Island News) — Hawaii nonprofit organizations could lose $100 million in federal funding.
After congress passed the reconciliation bill, it was clear many nonprofits would face significant funding shortages.
Alex Harris, president of Harold KL Castle Foundation, said, “Nonprofits in Hawaii employ approximately 80,000 people, and those organizations help more than 500,000 of our residents across a range of areas. This shutdown puts another $300 million at risk.”
Ryse Executive Director Carla Hauser said the cuts threaten the stability of Hawai’i’s safety nets.
For some groups, the impact is already being felt.
Mary Scott-Lau, founder and executive director of Women In Need, said, “They had all the services, wraparound services they needed, and that was what we got, cut federally… which is very sad. So it’s really a crisis right now”
Mele Pepa Latu, executive director of Aloha Harvest, said, “Just recently, this week, I learned that we will not be get getting any federal funding next year.”
About one in three federally funded nonprofits rely on the government for more than 20% of their revenue
“They re making cuts at a time when families and communities have significant need,” said Harris.
But Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) and the Castle Foundation are not going down without a fight.
“The initial findings were just so alarming enough that we’ve already reactivated the Hawaii Resilience Fund, which we had activated during covid,” said Terry George, HCF CEO and president.
But they can’t do it alone, they are calling on the community to step up too.
“I believe otherwise, if you’re in a position to volunteer your time, nonprofits are holding food drives or volunteer tutoring or supporting mental health counseling, and these are all things that require people to help and volunteer. And if you’re in a position to do so, please step up and join in,” said Harris.
