$500,000 in flexible funding is awarded to nonprofits filling essential needs in Essex County
For Catie’s Closet – a nonprofit that supports approximately 13,000 Lawrence Public School students by providing year-round access to free clothing, toiletries and hygiene products – funding cuts and cost increases are compromising the organization’s ability to meet their mission.
Previously, they could open a new “In-School Closet” – a “store” in a school where students can access essentials – for $25,000. Today, the cost is $40,000. And due to recent tariffs, said Catie’s Closet Co-Founder and CEO Mickey Cockrell, prices on new clothing and shoes have surged by 20 percent, squeezing the organization’s budget even further.
“More nonprofits are looking for financial contributions than funding is available,” said Cockrell. “We are aware that there is a squeeze on donors and grant funding, so we are concerned that some of our vital services may need to be scaled back or, in the worst case, discontinued.”
This looming possibility is wearing on the staff at Catie’s Closet, a15-year-old nonprofit, and could prove devastating for Lawrence students, who rely on the services that the organization provides.
“When a child can walk into school wearing clean, well-fitting clothes and have access to basic hygiene products, they feel a sense of belonging and confidence,” said Cockrell. “This simple, yet powerful shift has a direct impact on their attendance and engagement in school.”
The Essex County Community Response Fund
Catie’s Closet is one of 30 organizations across Essex County to recently receive a first-round grant from the new Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) Essex County Community Response Fund, the foundation’s response to the impact that federal funding cuts and budget shortfalls are having on our local nonprofits and the people they serve.
“We are so grateful to the donors and partners that helped us move swiftly to make these resources available to our nonprofit community during this time of uncertainty,” said ECCF President and CEO Stratton Lloyd. “We’ve always aimed to be there for our nonprofits when they needed us most, and we knew it was time to create a permanent mechanism for responding to emerging needs quickly, equitably and with flexibility.”
The Essex County Community Response Fund, launched in June, is meant to provide a new bridge between nonprofit organizations working to provide essential needs and donors interested in making an immediate impact. It’s designed to support the work of our local nonprofit sector with fast, unrestricted funding to meet the most critical needs of residents – today and in the future.
The first round of grants from the Community Response Fund focuses on essential needs – food, clothing and shelter – which are the building blocks for an individual’s stability, their capacity to take on higher-level challenges like school and work, and for thriving communities.
ECCF received nearly 130 applications, with requested dollars topping $3.4 million; $500,000 was awarded.
“The need in Essex County right now is vast and there are so many incredible nonprofits in our region fighting tooth and nail to make sure the people they serve have what they need to thrive,” said Amy Moran Lowe, ECCF’s director of grants and programs. “We had to make some really hard decisions based on the resources available to us.”
More than half of the applicants to the Community Response Fund indicated that they had already experienced federal funding cuts. Nearly all organizations that applied said they expect federal cuts in the months ahead. This shift in the landscape has many nonprofits thinking differently about funding models and fundraising.
“Going forward, we believe that foundations and private donors who invest in trust-based, multi-year partnerships have the power to shape a future with more equitable food access in our region,” said Tany Blasko, executive director of Nourishing the North Shore (NNS), a nonprofit that connects food-insecure residents of Essex County with fresh produce grown by local farmers.
For NNS, another first-round Community Response Fund grant recipient, the loss of large-scale federal programs like the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, which last year armed the organization with $183,000 to purchase produce grown by local farmers to feed local residents, have left significant gaps in their funding.
Creative fundraising strategies and strong partnerships are helping the Newburyport-based nonprofit make up some of that gap. But right now, it’s not enough. The loss of federal funds, combined with increased demand, is leaving a lot of people at risk.
“Without sustained support, thousands of food-insecure residents – seniors, families and individuals – could lose access to fresh local produce,” said Blasko. “Pantries and meal program partners would receive less food. Small farms would lose steady income.”
“At its core,” Blasko added, “funding allows us to feed our neighbors with dignity while strengthening our local food system.”
The nonprofit sector is on the frontlines every day, playing a vital role in supporting people and communities. These organizations are a lifeline for thousands of residents in Essex County, particularly during challenging times. The time is now for local philanthropy to meet our nonprofits where and when they need us.
[Help support the emerging needs of our region in perpetuity. Donate to the Essex County Community Response Fund.]
“Our goal is that the Essex County Community Response Fund is seen as more than just a means for funding, but that it also comes to symbolize a sense of strength and hope,” said Stacey Landry, ECCF’s senior vice president for advancement and philanthropic services. “We all have a role to play in supporting an Essex County where everyone thrives, and the Community Response Fund is a place where we can come together – now and tomorrow – to do our part.”
The next round of funding from the Essex County Community Response Fund will open this winter. Nonprofits should stay tuned to our website for guidelines and new information for the fund’s next focus. To learn more about the Essex County Community Response Fund, nonprofits can find application information by visiting www.eccf.org/community-response-fund/.
