Here at The Beacon, our Community Journalism Lab listening sessions are designed to encourage open conversations about the issues that matter most to the people we serve. We don’t quote or identify session attendees without their permission, ensuring participants can share their concerns candidly and that any related reporting goes through standard fact-checking before being shared out.

This approach is especially important when speaking with leaders from nonprofit organizations and foundations about financial challenges, which we did this past week in collaboration with Nonprofit Connect. The Beacon’s interim editor-in-chief, Chris Lester, and local government reporter, Josh Merchant, spoke with roughly a dozen Kansas City nonprofit leaders about potential federal funding cuts on March 21.

We heard that uncertainty surrounding these changes has left organizations in limbo, unsure of how deeply their budgets, and the people they serve, will be affected. Representatives from organizations serving homeless and elderly populations worried that the number of vulnerable people needing services is likely to grow as resources dwindle. Some participants shared that their organizations have already lost anticipated funding, while others are bracing for the ripple effects.

Beyond financial fears, nonprofit leaders also spoke about the toll on their staff.

One leader described how employees are feeling discouraged by the current landscape of federal funding and expects that some will leave the sector due to instability. Even organizations with stable funding today worry about losing experienced, dedicated professionals who are crucial to keeping programs running.

Despite these challenges, the conversation was also hopeful. Attendees expressed their deep, unyielding commitment to the people their organizations serve. They spoke about taking these stressful events in stride and continuing to push forward with their mission in focus. Attendees emphasized the importance of raising public awareness, helping people understand how federal decisions directly affect their communities. By community members stepping up to volunteer or host small fundraisers, local action could help offset lost resources.

Are national policies affecting your local organization? We’re here to listen. If you’d like to connect with our community manager and a reporter whose focus is related to your industry, please reach out to Estrella Gonzalez at estrella@thebeacon.media.