Nonprofits: You’ll miss them when they’re gone

This summer, Congress passed the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” ushering in the deepest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in U.S. history. About 17 million people could lose health coverage. States — now forced to shoulder SNAP costs for the first time — may slash benefits, reduce eligibility, or exit the program entirely. And once again, nonprofits will be left to fill in the gaps where government safety nets fall away.

Recent executive orders, deep federal cuts, and now the “One Big Beautiful Bill” have put nonprofits in crisis. These aren’t abstract policy debates — they’re decisions unraveling everyday support systems. 

Every day in America, someone receives life-saving care at a hospital. A child has a safe place to go after school. A woman finds shelter from domestic violence. A researcher edges closer to a cure. 

Behind many of these moments is an impactful nonprofit. 

Nonprofits don’t just serve. They sustain. With 12 million employees and $826 billion flowing into the economy each year, they’re among America’s largest employers and most trusted community anchors. They power hospitals, schools, museums, places of worship, food banks, research labs, parks, and shelters. If you’ve ever adopted a pet, walked through a park, gone to summer camp, or attended college — you’ve relied on a nonprofit. Lose them, and you lose the fabric of daily American life.

But today, they’re being pushed to the brink.

Already, we are seeing the fallout. Refugee resettlement programs have had to lay off staff and suspend operations after federal funding was frozen. After-school and youth programs in multiple states are preparing to close their doors, while health clinics have cut services entirely. Public media outlets face shutdowns as federal support disappears, and even programs supporting mental health, volunteer service, and the arts are confronting layoffs, canceled initiatives, or full closures.

The administration says cuts are about rooting out fraud but some feel that the sweeping approach  may punish organizations doing the most good. For nearly 25 years, Charity Navigator has studied hundreds of thousands of nonprofits. The data is clear: fewer than 0.01% of registered charities receive alerts advising caution from Charity Navigator. The sector is trustworthy.

The real fraud is pretending this sector can withstand blow after blow.  Cuts have consequences. An education nonprofit loses funding — a child loses after-school care. Health cuts mean fewer screenings, fewer nurses. Scientific groups are halting research. Food banks are turning people away. 

All while demand keeps rising.

Government grants and contracts account for one-third of nonprofit revenue. In some states, 60%-80% of nonprofit budgets rely on these funds. When those dollars disappear, organizations must decide whether to cut programs, lay off staff, or close.

Nonprofits cannot replace government. They have always served to complement the government and the private sector. They need investment, not abandonment. And unless we act, nonprofits won’t be there when we need them most.

American generosity is what keeps nonprofits alive. In 1938, millions of Americans mailed dimes to the White House to support President Roosevelt’s fight against polio — funding the first successful vaccine and sparking a culture of small-dollar giving. In Georgia, Beau and Emma moved from an uninsulated shack into a safe, modern home built by Habitat for Humanity volunteers. They were the first of what is now more than 62 million people helped by Habitat – a testament to the power of people coming together. After the invasion of Ukraine, Americans rallied again. Nearly $70 million was donated through GlobalGiving alone for frontline relief.

In 2023, charitable giving in the U.S. reached $557 billion. The majority — more than $320 billion — came from individuals. That generosity is the beating heart of our sector, and today it keeps many organizations going. At GlobalGiving and Charity Navigator, we see this resilience every day. We rigorously vet nonprofits so donors can give with confidence, and we’ve helped facilitate  billions of dollars reaching thousands of organizations meeting diverse needs.

Don’t wait until nonprofits are gone to notice what they give. Volunteer at a food pantry. Join a local fundraiser. Donate — any amount — to a cause you believe in. And make your voice heard with policymakers to ensure nonprofits receive the support they need. Every action counts.

Nonprofits are the quiet force holding this country together. We’re at a crossroads: allow apathy and austerity to hollow out the institutions that hold our communities together or take bold action to protect them. If we allow cuts and neglect to keep piling up, nonprofits will vanish — and when they do, the services we rely on every day will vanish with them. 

We’ll miss them when they’re gone.

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