Non-profits around Southwest Michigan are experiencing some strain with the new state budget approved this month. Among them is Caring Connection, which has lost at least $100,000 in funding under the new plan.
Caring Connection CEO Robin McGinnis tells us the Empowerment Center, the domestic violence shelter operated by Caring Connection, will see less state support due to inadequate funding for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Victims Services.
“We had been advocating all the providers in the state of Michigan for a budget of $75 million,” McGinnis said. “There was a lot of negotiation and fighting and they finally gave us $30 million, but that does not account for the cost and the increase in staffing. So we do not have our contracts yet from the state.”
McGinnis says as a result, they’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“It’s nerve-wracking. We want to continue doing the services, but we may have to cut back.”
The overall budget of Caring Connections is about $900,000, so the $100,000 cut that they already know about is going to create a problem. McGinnis says Caring Connection will try to make up the difference with fundraising throughout the year.
While McGinnis says the federal government shutdown is not directly affecting Caring Connection, much of its funding is comprised of federal dollars that pass through the state. As the state tightens its belt, so too are non-profits.
