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Meeting the Moment: What Funders Can Do Now to Support Our Partners

Since February of this year, many nonprofits in our region and across the country have faced significant uncertainty and unexpected cuts in federal funding. A recent survey conducted by the United Way of Greater Cincinnati found that most nonprofits in our region receive at least 25% or more of their operating budgets from the federal government.  

While philanthropy resources are insufficient to fill the gap left by the loss of federal funding, philanthropic funders can play an important rolein  supporting non-profits to best respond to this moment and help navigate the uncertainty. Interact for Health has joined foundations nationally in signing the Trust Based Philanthropy Project’s call to action, and we have taken the following steps in our community to help respond: 

• Fast-tracked planned 2025 grant payments to many of our partners.  
• Converted project-based grants to general operating support to reduce restrictions. 
• Sponsored legal assistance for partners through ProBono Partnership of Ohio.  
• Released an additional $1M in funding for partners for organizational capacity building and emergency mental health support for priority populations. 

We are grateful to stand alongside other funders – locally and nationally – who are increasing grantmaking commitments and responding with flexibility, urgency and trust. 

Now more than ever, practices like increased flexibility for reporting, streamlined application processes, and reduced barriers to payment are critical to allowing our partners to get back to what they do best: working towards a healthier, thriving Greater Cincinnati community.   

To stay up to date with future capacity-building training and workshops for our nonprofit community partners, please subscribe to our Health Watch Newsletter.  

This blog was written by Interact for Health President and CEO, Kate Schroder. 

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