Wichita nonprofits raise concern over potential federal funding freeze, leaves more questions than answers

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — There are a lot of questions about the future of federal funding for nonprofits after the Trump administration planned to freeze federal grants and loans. A federal judge temporarily blocked that plan Tuesday afternoon, contributing to more questions and confusion for local agencies.

The executive director of the Wichita Family Crisis Center, Amanda Meyers, said this situation is unprecedented for them. The center helps people when they are most vulnerable, and a proposed freeze on funding they rely on is not what their team wanted to hear. 

An email on Tuesday morning from the United States Department of Justice to the Wichita Family Crisis Center created concern. 

"So when we hear a pause in federal funding, obviously it's terrifying," said Meyers. 

The email announces a "temporary pause" while programs and activities are being reviewed. 

The center relies on reimbursement grants for money already spent on sheltering people who are escaping domestic violence. Meyers said that if the funding freeze goes through, they can rely on privately raised funds, but only for a short time. 

"Just simply stated, no funding means no money for shelter, means people have nowhere to go, means their lives are in danger, so this is literally life-threatening danger, as a result of the lack of funding," said Meyers. 

The chief operating officer of the National Council of Nonprofits, Rick Cohen, said the planned funding freeze is fueling panic for nonprofits across the country. 

"They don't have the financial flexibility to accommodate a pause, whether that's 30 days, or 7 days, or even 24 hours," said Cohen. 

He points out that if federal grant money is paused, it will affect those who work for nonprofits, as well. 

"We're talking about jobs, we're talking about people, who today are helping other people, and tomorrow, might need help themselves, just the ripple effects from that are immense," said Cohen. 

The news Tuesday afternoon that a federal judge had blocked the planned freeze only led to more questions for those nonprofits. Initially, the plan was for federal agencies to report back to the Office of Management and Budget in the next two weeks about all programs that have been postponed. 

There is no word on whether that deadline still stands.