Your Local Nonprofit Needs You!

If you work for or support a nonprofit in any way, it’s probably because you believe in their mission—or you care deeply about your community. And just to clarify, when I say “nonprofit,” I don’t mean your alma mater, the NFL (yes, it’s a nonprofit), or even your church. I’m talking about the community-based organizations on the front lines—those working every day to nourish, protect, heal, educate, and uplift our most vulnerable neighbors.

Right now, those organizations are facing an incredibly difficult moment. And they need your help.

As the founder of +BOX and current director of Brighter Bites San Diego, I’ve spent the last few years working to address food and nutrition insecurity. So, I’ll use that sector as an example—but what I’m about to say applies broadly.

Let’s start with this: the federal government has already cut or frozen more than $6 billion in food assistance funding. The latest House-passed budget eliminates SNAP-Ed (nutrition education) entirely and deeply cuts SNAP (food stamps), which could push 67,000 San Diegans off the program. My organization, Brighter Bites, relies on SNAP-Ed for nearly 40% of its national budget—and we’re now at risk of losing that lifeline.

And while those cuts are still being debated in the Senate, here’s what’s already happened:

• $500M paused from the Emergency Food Assistance Program

• $660M cut from the Local Food for Schools program

• $500M cut from the Local Food Purchase Assistance program

  
  

Now, you might be wondering: Don’t a lot of nonprofits already operate without federal funding?

Yes…including +BOX/Brighter Bites San Diego. Locally we don’t receive federal dollars—but here’s why this still matters.

When federal funding dries up, the burden shifts to the philanthropic sector: foundations, private donors, local government, and corporate partners. Everyone, including us, now has to compete for a much smaller pool of resources. The pie shrank—but the need didn’t.

And that’s not all. Economic uncertainty is shaking donor confidence. Fewer people are giving. Corporate donations are slowing. Everyone’s waiting for the dust to settle. Maybe you’re feeling that too (trust me—we’re tightening our belts at home as well).

Meanwhile, demand for services is skyrocketing. According to the San Diego Hunger Coalition, 26% of San Diegans now face food insecurity—a return to pandemic-era levels. Families are stretched. Shelves are thinning. And nonprofits, which were already doing more with less, are being asked to do even more… with even less.

So here’s the bottom line: These cuts affect all nonprofits, not just those receiving federal dollars. Your favorite local nonprofit? Your friend who runs a community health clinic? Your neighbor organizing tutoring for underserved kids? They’re likely scrambling—juggling urgent needs, rising costs, and shrinking support.

And they need you.

So what can you do?

1. Give, if you can. Even a small monthly gift makes a difference right now. If you’re feeling the economic squeeze, we get it. But if you are in a position to give, this is the time. Your support won’t be in vain. It could be the lifeline a family needs.

   
   

2. Raise your voice. Contact your federal representatives—regardless of party—and tell them how these cuts are affecting your community. Need help with what to say? Many nonprofits (including ours) have advocacy letters ready to go.

   
   

Sometimes, these issues can feel distant. But they’re not. These decisions are affecting real people, right now, in your city, maybe on your block. I wrote this because I want to connect the dots—and because I’m deeply worried about the long-term impact on the nonprofit sector, and the communities we all care about.

Thank you for taking the time to read. If you have questions, want to get involved, or just want to talk more—I’m here.

-Wes