The federal funding freeze that was enacted and then rescinded two days later, has left the YWCA Helena concerned about what could happen next.
Each year the federal government injects hundreds of billions of dollars in grant funding into state and local governments to help a wide range of services including healthcare, education, social services, public safety and infrastructure.
Those federal funds then flow from Montana’s state agencies to nonprofit organizations, such as the YWCA Helena, so we can provide critical services to our most vulnerable population of women and children.
Our state has a 30% average reliance on federal funding to subsidize Montana’s budget. In today’s economy rent or a mortgage payment accounts for 28-30% of your monthly income. Imagine if your monthly income dropped 30%.
Do you stop paying for the roof over your head?
That’s the quandary we find ourselves in at the YWCA Helena and why we need your help during this time of uncertainty.
On Monday, January 27th, President Trump signed Memorandum M-25-13, requiring federal agencies to “temporarily pause” grants, loans, and assistance programs so each agency can complete a comprehensive analysis. In short, federal agencies cannot disperse any funding until they verify the grantees are not providing: “financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI), woke gender ideology, and the green new deal.”
The YWCA Helena relies on federal funds to flow through our state agencies, to house and provide wrap-around services for up to 24 women residents, 22 children, and provide continuum of care for five women who transitioned out of residence.
In addition to the 13 custodial and non-custodial families and 19 children we are serving in the Caterpillars Parenting Center, we have nine families and 14 children on the waitlist — four requests for services were from last week alone.
In budgetary terms, a freeze or loss of funding for the YWCA Helena means a nearly $40,000 shortfall in our monthly revenue. Worst case, if Medicaid experiences another “pause,” the YWCA Helena could experience an unprecedented $100,000 monthly shortfall.
Some relief was felt on Wednesday, January 29th when the freeze was rescinded by the Office of Management and Budget, and the Medicaid payment portal was restored. However, there is now uncertainty where there once was confidence.
We need your help to safeguard our YWCA Helena home.
Rescinding only occurred because people across America, especially in the nonprofit sector, made their concerns known. Please lend your voice by contacting our federal officials.
Rep. Downing
DC Office: 202.225.3211
Helena Office: 406.502.1435
Email Rep. Downing’s Office
Rep. Zinke
DC Office: 202.225.5628
Bozeman Office: 406.602.6030
Email Rep. Zinke’s Office
Sen. Daines
DC Office: 202.224.2651
Helena Office: 406.443.3189
Email Steve - Senator Steve Daines
Sen. Sheehy
DC Office: 202.224.2644
Helena Office: 406-441-1069
Email - Senator Tim Sheehy
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