A Letter to the Nonprofit Community: Navigating Uncertainty, Together
Dear Nonprofit Colleagues,
As a collaborative effort among funders from across Chautauqua County, The Capacity Lab has seen and felt the impacts of Federal funding cuts on our local community. Uncertainty has disrupted operations and raised difficult questions across the county, pulling organizations away from the critically important missions they serve. Rising demand for services comes at a time when organizations have already tightened belts. We recognize these challenges both as funders and neighbors.
When faced with challenges of this scale, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and isolated, but moments like these are why we build capacity. As the frontline workers building community resilience, the nonprofit sector is acutely aware of the interconnectedness of our work. Whether educating, healing, supporting, or enriching the lives of Chautauqua County’s residents, nonprofit organizations contribute to every aspect of the quality of life in our community. Even if it is not always clear how we are connected, the success of our peers and colleagues allows all of us to maximize our impact.
That is why The Capacity Lab remains committed to serving our community by helping navigate these challenges. We have been engaged with local, regional, and national partners to identify risks and prepare strategic responses. We will continue to study the best practices, advocate for community needs, and coordinate philanthropic efforts to ensure we are serving the missions of our respective organizations.
Sector level work can only go so far without the active engagement and support of the organizations making a difference in our communities. Local funding will never match federal dollars, but the information, resources, and relationships we can leverage locally as a sector are only limited by our willingness to lean in.
If you are facing a specific issue, reach out to The Capacity Lab. Check in on peers and colleagues in the sector. Sign up for our mailing list, visit our regularly updated website, and join us for local networking to stay up to date on what’s happening right now in Chautauqua County.
Relationships and trusted partners are essential when navigating a rapidly changing environment. Not only to share resources or insights, but also to stay informed of broader trends happening in our county so we can all respond effectively. Through it all, we will remain committed to the success of our nonprofit sector and our community as we all build a more vibrant, prosperous Chautauqua County.
The Capacity Lab Team
info@thecapacitylab.org
(716) 366-4892
