Dear FamilyWorks Community,
The past two months have been filled with chaos and uncertainty as the federal government has taken alarming steps to freeze funding that was already appropriated by Congress and dismantle vital social programs and services. Many of you have asked what this means for FamilyWorks. The short answer: we don’t yet know the full impact, but the risks are significant.
The courts have put the funding freeze on hold for now, however there have also been other significant developments including the recent Congressional budget bill that was signed into law on March 15th. This bill, which funds the federal government for 6 months, included more than $13 billion in spending cuts. The administration has also canceled the Local Food Purchasing Assistance program, and paused half of the funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which purchases food and sends it to food banks, including FamilyWorks.
Regardless of what the courts ultimately decide regarding the constitutionality of the funding freeze, it is clear that the intent is to heavily slash funding that nonprofits, local governments, and our most marginalized community members have relied on for decades.
Impact on FamilyWorks
Nearly a third of FamilyWorks’ funding for programs comes from the government, which includes city, county, state, and federal sources. The amount of federal funding we expect in 2025 is about 6% of our annual operating budget. We’ll also receive $1.75M in federal capital funding for the Wallingford Food Bank renovation. We do not believe the food bank renovation funding is at risk, though reimbursement of the renovation costs may be delayed.
We believe the biggest risk to FamilyWorks is to our city, county, and state government funding (~$1.1M in 2025). While local levies support some of this funding, a number of our government contracts are funded through a blend of sources, including federal pass-through funding, the General Funds of the city and state, and local taxes. If the current administration is successful in cutting federal funding to cities, counties, and states, the impact on FamilyWorks and other nonprofits will be huge, as local governments will need to balance the loss of federal funds with expense reductions. This comes while Washington state is already faced with closing a $14B shortfall (and counting) this year.
Cuts to a broad range of social services, including food assistance, housing programs, and education initiatives, are likely at the state level. Any additional federal cuts would likely result in devastating cuts to nonprofits and essential social services.
Many federally funded programs that our participants rely on to meet their basic needs are also at risk. As mentioned previously, the most recent Congressional budget bill passed on March 15 includes significant spending cuts. We are bracing for drastic cuts to food assistance, housing subsidies, healthcare, childcare, and more while our region is dealing with an affordability crisis. At a time when we are expecting funding cuts, the need for our services will skyrocket.
The impact goes well beyond just funding cuts. In addition to dismantling the social safety net, which millions of Americans rely on every day, the pillars of diversity, equity, and inclusion are under attack. At FamilyWorks, racial equity and justice are core values. Now more than ever, we must uplift marginalized voices, celebrate the strength and joy of diverse communities, and invest in a future rooted in justice, collective liberation, and opportunity for all.
Finding Hope & Joy in Challenging Times
FamilyWorks will not back down, and we will not give in. We are doubling down on our values and will continue to center families furthest from economic, food, and racial justice in our work. We will not stop fighting for a just, equitable, and thriving community. However, holding firm to our values comes at a cost, including potentially losing funding and becoming a target because of our explicit focus on social justice.
While the situation is serious, I remain hopeful for the future because we’ve seen before what’s possible when people stand up, organize, act to defend their values, and support our neighbors. I’m consistently inspired by the joy our community shows during difficult times. Hope and joy are not just luxuries; they are essential tools of resistance and resilience. Joy fuels us, reminds us of what we are fighting for, and keeps us connected to one another. Even in the face of uncertainty, we see hope in our community: in the families finding stability through our programs, the laughter and songs of children attending our playgroups, and in the dedication of volunteers and supporters who show up time and time again to uplift our neighbors.
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, we reflect on the progress we’ve made. We’ve seen this community come together in times of crisis before, proving that when we stand in solidarity with each other, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges. We remain unwavering in our focus on a just and joyful future.
How You Can Take Action Today
We need your help. The challenges ahead require all of us to step up, advocate, and support one another.
- Call Your Elected Officials: Demand that members of Congress protect federal funding for critical social services, and state legislators fund vital community programs through sustainable revenue and not cuts. Below are resources:
- Donate: If we lose federal funding, private philanthropy must step up. Every dollar donated helps keep our doors open and ensures families in our community have food, resources, and support. Please consider making a monthly gift to FamilyWorks, which provides a consistent, predictable source of support that we can count on during these turbulent times. We also encourage you to support other nonprofits in our community who are in this fight alongside us.
- Stay Engaged: Follow us on social media (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn), share this message, and encourage others to take action. Together, we are stronger.
We hope you’ll join us in this work.
With gratitude and determination,
Marcia Wright-Soika
Executive Director, FamilyWorks
P.S. Read more about how joy sustains activism: Joy Is an Act of Resistance.
