Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | September 22, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 19 W DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION F O C U S ese cuts have had an impact in Worcester. For example, Waddell's Legendary Legacies lost about a quarter of a million dollars from direct cuts and another $100,000 indirectly through cuts to the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, which aims to combat gang violence. e nonprofit, founded in 2018 with the mission of upliing men of color who have been impacted by the criminal justice system, has a total annu- al budget of $1.6 million. Programs led by the nonprofit include Legacy Links, a reentry program for Black and Latino men who are returning to their communities post-incarcera- tion, and Legacy Transport, a program providing opportunities for those with a criminal record by delivering food to families in need. Nonprofits impacted by federal cuts are attempting to pivot to funding from foundations or other private sources, but private philanthropy is struggling to meet the need, Waddell said. "ere becomes a logjam there, as many nonprofits are shiing because they felt this federal cut," he said. "Our submissions, which previously came back with favorable responses, as of late have been limited. So we are looking to grow our individual donor base." e work Legendary Legacies does is proactive and provides economic value, Waddell said. He said the average non-fatal shooting costs a commu- nity an average of $30,000, and that incarcerating a sin- gle person can cost taxpayers $135,000 to $175,000 a year. "If we're not investing in rehabilitation, there's a direct impact to taxpayers, as well as supporting people to get into the workforce," he said. "en they become a contributing member of the tax base, instead of a burden on the tax base. We're formulating approaches that look at it from an economic standpoint." Other nonprofits hit by the cuts include the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. In an August letter, CEO and Executive Director Liz Hamilton wrote the club would have to raise its modest fee for its services for the first time in 20 years. Fees for the upcoming year now range from $10 to $50 per year. "In 2025, nonprofits faced a mix of challenges, from rising costs and in- creased demand for services to funding uncertainties and staffing shortages," Hamilton wrote in an email to WBJ. "Shis in government funding added to the complexity, along with growing com- petition for limited resources. Still, orga- nizations continued to adapt and support their communities in meaningful ways. Just like during the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic, we've come together with our community, families, youth, corporate partners, and fellow nonprofits to collaborate, share resourc- es, and stay focused on our mission." 'Putting hope back into our lives' Garvin argues the work service-fo- cused nonprofits do isn't just about chari- ty or humanity, but also economics. "is actually is good for everybody in the community and leads to a thriving economy," Garvin said. "We have enough evidence and proof that when people are employed, when they are earning a liv- able wage, when they don't have to worry where their next meal is coming from, and when they can afford to have a roof over their heads, they're more produc- tive. Crime goes down, so we're saving money. We're paying more taxes, we're more productive, and people are happier and healthier." While issues impacting children get a lot of the spotlight, UWCM is mindful of the impact federal cuts will have on the elderly, said Lynn Cheney, vice president of communications at UWCM. "We always tend to focus a lot on children, which obviously is an im- portant part of our economy, but so are our elders, right?" Cheney said. "Look at Meals on Wheels. at's a specific example of having a substantial [federal budget] reduction." Right before the Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed by Trump in July, the national Meals on Wheels nonprofit issued a statement saying the $184 billion in SNAP cuts and $1 trillion in Medic- aid cuts over 10 years will lead to more seniors not getting meals, lea care expenses. Garvin said, beyond providing seniors in need with meals, Meals on Wheels plays an important role in keeping elderly people connected with their community, with meal drop-offs being some seniors only human contact of the week. Connecting the community is ulti- mately the goal of the United Response Fund, Garvin said. He encouraged donors to contribute to it. "is fund is about building commu- nity," Garvin said. "e three words I used are: helping, healing, and putting hope back into our lives." Liz Hamilton, CEO and executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester Lynn Cheney, VP of communications at United Way

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