Joint Statement in Response to Federal Funding Freeze

Supporting a healthy, resilient, thriving region is only possible when we work together as a community and across sectors—nonprofit, governmental, philanthropic, and business. The key word here is together. The widespread confusion of recent days around the federal funding freeze runs counter to our values of collaboration, equity, and stewardship and we know it has left local partners uncertain and concerned about the future and their ability to do their work.

As funding organizations serving Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation  and Rotary Charities of Traverse City are here specifically to invest in the people and places of our region, address our region’s complex problems, and steward community assets for lasting impact.

We do this work in partnership with supporters, community members, changemakers, and grant recipients. As such, we have been monitoring the federal funding freeze situation. While the funding freeze is now rescinded, we remain ready to take action so that we can continue supporting our local communities in a flexible, responsive, and collaborative manner.

At present, we are in conversation with our funding partners at the state and local level; we are taking a critical look at the resources we have available and how to use those most effectively; and we are helping to amplify the GTRCF's survey as they seek input from organizations across the region to help us better understand the potential local impact of what a funding freeze could mean for their service delivery and operations.

As we collectively experience uncertainty about what’s next, please know that we are ready to keep doing the work that you’ve entrusted us to do—to be good stewards of resources, to collaborate across sectors, and to fund pressing needs—all in service of our larger vision to support a healthy, resilient, adaptive, and thriving region for everyone.

In the meantime, we encourage community members to continue supporting local nonprofit organizations—from participating in volunteer efforts to giving monthly or donating at any level—who are delivering critical programs and services across our region.

To learn about how Executive Orders are impacting nonprofit organizations, please consult this regularly updated guide from the National Council of Nonprofits.
 
Sakura Takano
CEO, Rotary Charities

David Mengebier, 
President & CEO, Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

Actions You Can Take Now

• Respond to the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's Federal Funding Freeze Impact Survey to help local funders understand how to support organizations and the community if federal funding is frozen, reduced, or eliminated.
   
• Engage with Government Contacts: Stay in communication with your contacts at state and federal agencies regarding your funding.
   
• Document and Share Impacts: Compile specific examples of how funding delays, communication challenges, or administrative burdens are affecting your organization. Use these examples to advocate and communicate the urgency of your needs to stakeholders and funders.
   
• Communicate with Staff and Clients: Keep your team and the people you serve informed about any policy changes at the state or federal level that may impact your programs.
   
• Develop contingency budget strategies: Prepare for change by identifying alternative funding sources that could help reduce the impact of state and federal budget cuts. Work with leadership to explore different scenarios and assess how these changes may affect your organization's operations.
   
• Stay Informed: The National Council of Nonprofits continues to update this guide to how the recent Executive Orders are affecting nonprofits

Our community is strong, resilient, and deeply interconnected. If you have questions or need support, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.