Help the helpers: Rhode Island needs its nonprofits, and R.I. nonprofits need support amid chaos and uncertainty

From Cortney M. Nicolato with the Boston Globe:

"While the memo from the Trump administration to freeze federal funds has been rescinded, the actions and intent have not, writes the president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island.

Nonprofits have been stepping up to serve our communities for generations, all while being highly underfunded by the federal government.

In the 1970s and ‘80s, the government began transferring its responsibility for delivering social services, shifting the work onto nonprofits. The rationale was that, for “efficiency and flexibility purposes,” they would let local organizations serve their communities. This seismic shift led to a greater reliance on nonprofits to fill the gaps, though without additional funding. There also was a government expectation that philanthropy could provide for more. But philanthropy can’t pick up all the pieces...."

 

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