Community Conversation: The State of Nonprofits after the Federal Budget Cuts

One Year Later. What Has Changed — and What Happens Next?

Last June, nonprofit leaders, funders, policymakers, and community members came together around one table to begin an important conversation about the future of our communities.

Since then, organizations across the Quad Cities have faced growing pressure from federal budget cuts, rising demand for services, workforce shortages, and increasing community needs. Behind every funding reduction is a real impact on families, housing stability, healthcare access, food security, and the organizations working every day to fill the gaps.

Now, one year later, we’re coming back together to reflect on what’s changed, what local leaders are seeing on the front lines, and what our community needs next.

This is more than a panel discussion. It’s a community conversation about the current state of the nonprofit sector, the realities organizations are navigating, and the role all of us play in shaping what comes next.

Whether you work in the nonprofit sector, fundraising, healthcare, housing, government, philanthropy, business, advocacy, or simply care about the future of the Quad Cities, this is a conversation you need to be part of.

Featured Community Leaders:

Tom Bowman, Community Health Care (Medicaid & Healthcare Access)

Chris Ford, River Bend Food Bank (SNAP & Food Insecurity)

Ashley Velez-Hagler, Humility Homes & Services (Homelessness)

Rev. Dwight Ford, Project NOW (Poverty and Housing)

Attendees will receive:

· Updated local data and nonprofit sector insights

· Real-world impact updates from key community sectors

· Information you can use in conversations with funders, donors, boards, and elected officials

· Opportunities to ask questions, share challenges, and identify collaborative solutions as we prepare for the next year

· Action-oriented next steps and themes for continued advocacy and collaboration