Worcester Business Journal

6 Giving Guide 2025 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com Though there's plenty of reason to worry – the Trump Administration targeted entire categories of human services with its fiscal policy in its so-called Big, Beautiful Bill ceremoni- ously signed into law July 4th – local nonprofits stand ready to absorb some of the pain. With the coronavirus pan- demic years barely a memory, non- profit executives have learned the ropes of contingency planning, reve- nue diversification, and collaboration. Open Sky Community Services is poised to weather what will certainly be major challenges, having learned lessons since 2020, said Lorie Martiska, executive vice president and chief advancement officer for Open Sky. The Worcester-based human services non- profit depends heavily on Medicaid, which faces a projected $1 trillion in federal cuts over the next decade. "If nothing else, it's built a sense of resiliency in all of us," Martiska said in June. "And we've been in a pattern of growth." Through partner- ships with other Central Massachusetts nonprofits, Open Sky has grown its work- force, and the organi- zation is looking for ways to increase reve- nue, she said. "You can't cut your way to success even in times like these," Martiska said. BUDGETING FOR ROUGH TIMES As the Trump budget trickles down through the state and finally nonprofits serving vulnerable people, organiza- tions like Open Sky had no choice but to implement program budgets know- ing that large funding shifts are likely when a new federal fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. Planning for the future in this cli- W hile the final impact is unknown, nonprofit executives agree the work they do could take a big hit when planned federal budget cuts land in the fall. What now? Tempered by pandemic, Central Mass. nonprofit leaders prepare for staggering federal cuts Lorie Martiska, Open Sky Community Services BY EMILY MICUCCI | Giving Guide Editor

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