In the Adirondacks, nonprofits are not merely organizations — they are the bridges that span the gaps between our public institutions (municipalities, counties, state agencies and schools) and our region’s families. As leaders of the region’s two largest grantmakers, the Cloudsplitter Foundation and Adirondack Foundation, we see daily what essential services our nonprofits deliver to our communities. They are our healthcare facilities, childcare centers, fire departments, and EMS, and they sustain our Main Street economies, environmental protections, housing access and food security.

Anything that seriously harms their ability to do their essential work guts our communities.

Dramatic funding cutbacks spurred by far-away forces in Washington are being proposed, and we strongly urge our community members to educate themselves on how these cuts could impact the region. A recent Urban Institute report found that government funds annually added more than $100 million to critical nonprofits in Clinton, Essex, Franklin and Hamilton counties. The average Adirondack nonprofit that receives federal funding — and two-thirds of them do — would suffer sudden budget deficits of up to 22% were that funding not there.

The effects on the region’s economy would be severe. According to a 2019 report from the Office of the New York State Comptroller, nonprofits account for nearly 24% of private-sector employment in the North Country; in Franklin County, they account for more than 40% of private-sector employment.

Our two foundations invest in nonprofits because, thanks to the thousands of volunteers and staff doing this essential work, there is the promise of a better future for all Adirondackers. Between both organizations, we are able to grant around $10 million per year. We want our communities to be aware that these private philanthropic financial resources are nowhere near sufficient to keep these crucial organizations afloat.

Where would our rural communities be without nonprofit-supported first-responders in our fire departments, EMS and backcountry rescue programs? Nonprofits educate our children through afterschool programs and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) programming. Nonprofits protect our precious Adirondack ecosystems. They bring vitality to our small towns with culture, art, music and entertainment. They help seniors continue to live independently by bolstering healthcare, transportation and senior care. Where would our communities be without the entrepreneurial nonprofits that are preparing our neighbors for the future by working to expand broadband, increase education in the trades, support small businesses, upgrade downtowns, and prepare for climate change?

If you are so moved, please tell your representatives to protect our critical nonprofit funding.

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Bill Creighton is the board chair of the Adirondack Foundation and Holly Wolff is the board chair of the Cloudsplitter Foundation.