Dear neighbors: I’m writing to urge you to check on your local nonprofit organizations. The federal funding freeze is hitting many organizations around the country, including in Clatsop County, hard. As the former executive director of an Astoria nonprofit that receives significant funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I know that many of our key local organizations are really struggling right now.

The funding freeze means that many groups are still under contract with the federal government to be doing important work for our community — providing housing, mental and other health services, food systems work, etc. — but are not getting paid right now for doing that work.

Many of our local organizations operate on tight budgets. The stereotype of lazy nonprofits taking your money and living high on the hog is just that: a stereotype. The federal funding freeze is putting many groups in the position of either suddenly stopping providing key services — which also breaks contracts with federal agencies, with consequences — or needing to lay off employees.

Some of your neighbors are at risk of losing their jobs. Others are at risk of losing literal lifesaving services.

None of us know if this is the new normal, or a temporary state. The courts are working to protect us, but the federal government is currently in violation of multiple court orders to stop the funding freeze. Local communities need to be taking care of ourselves.

Please donate if you can to help our local nonprofits survive this attack!

YANA LUDWIG

Warrenton