New York City's social service organizations are bracing for more federal funding cuts, despite already scaling back programming in response to recent reductions. According to a new report by the Center for an Urban Future, nearly two-thirds of the city's nonprofit organizations rely heavily on federal aid, with some receiving up to 50% of their budgets from government sources.
The Trump administration's cost-cutting measures are aimed at reducing waste and abuse, but critics say they will have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations. Cuts to shelter and emergency food programs, as well as AmeriCorps funding that helps organizations pay volunteers, have already taken a toll on the city's social services.
The report found that these cuts resulted in significant reductions in services, including the Food Bank for New York City receiving 10 million fewer pounds of food this year. Children's Aid eliminated a program delivering weekly bags of food to over 1,000 people, while BronxWorks cut classes teaching cooking skills to help low-income families.
The deepest cuts are expected to come by 2026 and 2027, when funding for homeless housing programs will be slashed and new work requirements for Medicaid could push thousands off their insurance. This means that organizations relying on reimbursements from the government may not receive those dollars.
Nonprofit leaders warn that some organizations may have to shut their doors due to these cuts. "It's very possible some nonprofits are going to have to shut their doors," said Jonathan Bowles, executive director of the Center for an Urban Future. The report surveyed 22 organizations and found that nearly a third of their budgets come from federal dollars.
The Trump administration's plan to provide short-term housing grants with mandatory treatment and work requirements is also causing concern. While officials claim this will increase self-sufficiency, critics argue that it will push vulnerable populations onto the streets.
Project Renewal President Eric Rosenbaum said that the irony of this policy is that providing supportive housing for people with mental illness or substance abuse actually keeps New York City safer. However, at least 46 nonprofits in the city are already receiving money from these grants to provide supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals.
The report also found that some organizations are opting out of applying for certain grants due to new federal requirements that they cannot agree to, such as barring assistance from undocumented people. New York City's right-to-shelter law requires nonprofits to offer a bed to anyone who asks for one without checking immigration status.
Bowles called on the city to set aside funding to create a nonprofit stabilization fund to help cover urgent needs around food, shelter, and healthcare. The report serves as a warning that the city's social service organizations are already feeling the effects of these cuts, and more devastating reductions are likely to come in the future.
The Trump administration's cost-cutting measures are aimed at reducing waste and abuse, but critics say they will have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations. Cuts to shelter and emergency food programs, as well as AmeriCorps funding that helps organizations pay volunteers, have already taken a toll on the city's social services.
The report found that these cuts resulted in significant reductions in services, including the Food Bank for New York City receiving 10 million fewer pounds of food this year. Children's Aid eliminated a program delivering weekly bags of food to over 1,000 people, while BronxWorks cut classes teaching cooking skills to help low-income families.
The deepest cuts are expected to come by 2026 and 2027, when funding for homeless housing programs will be slashed and new work requirements for Medicaid could push thousands off their insurance. This means that organizations relying on reimbursements from the government may not receive those dollars.
Nonprofit leaders warn that some organizations may have to shut their doors due to these cuts. "It's very possible some nonprofits are going to have to shut their doors," said Jonathan Bowles, executive director of the Center for an Urban Future. The report surveyed 22 organizations and found that nearly a third of their budgets come from federal dollars.
The Trump administration's plan to provide short-term housing grants with mandatory treatment and work requirements is also causing concern. While officials claim this will increase self-sufficiency, critics argue that it will push vulnerable populations onto the streets.
Project Renewal President Eric Rosenbaum said that the irony of this policy is that providing supportive housing for people with mental illness or substance abuse actually keeps New York City safer. However, at least 46 nonprofits in the city are already receiving money from these grants to provide supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals.
The report also found that some organizations are opting out of applying for certain grants due to new federal requirements that they cannot agree to, such as barring assistance from undocumented people. New York City's right-to-shelter law requires nonprofits to offer a bed to anyone who asks for one without checking immigration status.
Bowles called on the city to set aside funding to create a nonprofit stabilization fund to help cover urgent needs around food, shelter, and healthcare. The report serves as a warning that the city's social service organizations are already feeling the effects of these cuts, and more devastating reductions are likely to come in the future.
This is getting crazy! How can we expect to take care of each other when the government isn't even supporting our non-profits? 
I mean, I get it, cost-cutting measures and all that, but 50% of their budgets coming from the government?! That's like asking a charity to fund half its operations! 
What's next? Are they gonna cut food for the hungry too?! 
It's devastating to think that some orgs might have to shut down. Like, what about all those people counting on them? 
We gotta do something, stat! 
they wanna shut down all these orgs thats supposed 2 help ppl who need it most like whats gonna happen 2 those families w/ kids???? food, shelter, healthcare...they cant afford 2 lose that stuff. i got my favorite charity on twitter & their CEO is crying out 4 more funding 4 them its devastating 2 think ppl will lose access 2 Medicaid cuz of trumps policies 
. i'm all for accountability and making sure our money is being spent wisely, but come on, can't we find a way to do that without putting the most vulnerable out there? 
. And what about those organizations that can't just opt out of grants because they gotta follow the rules? It's like, they're stuck between a rock and a hard place 
It's not all bad, we need to make sure our funding is being used effectively. But like, how can we do that if we're just gonna slash funding for everything without even having a plan in place? 
. Can someone just come up with a solution already? 
. I mean, I get that waste and abuse have gotta be trimmed, but 50% of nonprofits' budgets coming from feds? That's just crazy talk 
. We gotta do better than this, folks. Let's set aside some funding for a nonprofit stabilization fund and make sure our social services aren't just scraps 
.
. It's not just about 'waste and abuse' it's about ppl who are struggling to survive 
. Can't we just get along & help each other out? 
And those work requirements for Medicaid? It's like we're gonna push people back onto the streets because they can't afford treatment. That's just cruel.
We need to support our nonprofit organizations and make sure they can keep doing their good work.