Imagine arriving at The Gathering Place, seeking refuge and resources after a long night spent on the streets. You’re exhausted, hoping for a hot meal, a safe place to rest, and a chance to take the next step toward stability. Now, imagine being told that the food pantry is empty or the wellness program cannot operate today because funding delays have forced us to reduce services. 

This is the devastating reality for nonprofits when inconsistent federal funding interrupts our ability to deliver critical support. At The Gathering Place, we provide low-barrier, trauma-informed care that is essential to the stability and dignity of our members. But funding gaps jeopardize these services, leaving members without the resources they need to rebuild their lives. 

How Funding Gaps Affect Our Members 

When funding becomes unstable, the consequences ripple through every aspect of our operations. Here’s how it impacts The Gathering Place and the people we serve: 

• Basic Needs and Community Connection: On any given day, we provide hundreds of meals, access to nap rooms, showers, and a clothing bank—lifelines for members seeking nourishment, comfort, or a fresh start. Funding shortages could force us to reduce these essential services, leaving members hungry, disconnected, and unable to meet even their most basic needs. 
• Emergency shelter: Funding cuts to micro-communities like Elati Village would result in returning hundreds of people to the streets before they have even had the opportunity to access permanent stable housing.  
• Housing support: Our highly skilled case managers work with people who are seeking a path to stability and permanent housing. This is done by supporting individuals and families to increase income, access wraparound programs, apply for housing, and move in. Funding cuts will lead to shortages in affordable housing and restrict access to housing support during a time when our communities are seeing all-time highs in the number of people experiencing homelessness.  
• Wellness programs: Through partnerships, we provide physical and mental health care services tailored to our members’ unique challenges. When funding stalls, these programs risk scaling back or halting entirely, leaving gaps in care for people navigating complex health and recovery journeys. 

During the current federal funding freeze, nonprofits nationwide reported being unable to access grant funding, leading to immediate program interruptions and uncertainty (Pettypiece & Tsirkin, 2025). These disruptions aren’t just statistics—they are moments when a member who has already endured significant trauma is turned away. 

The Broader Impacts of Funding Instability 

Federal budget uncertainties—whether through continuing resolutions or shutdowns—affect more than our day-to-day operations. They erode the stability of entire communities. Historical examples, like the 2019 government shutdown, demonstrate how delayed housing assistance results in evictions, the loss of trusted staff, and the weakening of essential safety nets (Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding [CHCDF], 2023). 

The over-reliance on federal funding creates a precarious environment for organizations like ours. Rising costs, delayed contracts, and restricted access to grants mean fewer services for those who need them most. This is why diversifying our funding sources is essential to our mission. 

How You Can Help 

We can’t prevent federal funding delays, but with your support, we can ensure that these disruptions don’t translate to gaps in services. Your contribution directly sustains programs that create pathways to stability, like: 

• Hot meals for members who might not eat otherwise. 
• Case management to help members navigate housing and employment opportunities. 
• Supportive spaces where members can rest, heal, and rebuild. 

Every dollar you give ensures that The Gathering Place remains a reliable refuge, even when external challenges arise. Together, we can navigate funding instability and continue offering hope, dignity, and empowerment to those who rely on us most. 

Donate Today 

Your gift keeps our doors open and our services running. Help us bridge funding gaps and create lasting impact by donating today. 

References 

Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding. (2023). Impacts of inconsistent funding on affordable housing programs. Retrieved from https://nlihc.org/explore-issues/projects-campaigns/campaign-housing-and-community-development-funding 

Pettypiece, S., & Tsirkin, J. (2025, January 28). Trump’s funding freeze creates widespread confusion. NBC News. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com 

Threlkeld, J. (2023, May 9). How debt ceiling negotiations threaten homelessness funding. National Alliance to End Homelessness. Retrieved from https://endhomelessness.org