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NorCann report: rural nonprofits in Humboldt region report millions in losses and rising service cuts
Summary
A NorCann survey of 54 organizations in Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties found $6.86 million in direct funding losses and $2.13 million in delayed reimbursements; leaders warned of program reductions affecting thousands and urged coordinated advocacy and local support.
NorCann released results of a second regional survey on Oct. 28 highlighting widespread financial strain across rural nonprofits in Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties. The Northern California Association of Nonprofits convened local leaders to share data and describe how federal funding shifts are translating into program cuts, staff burnout and heightened community needs.
The survey, presented by Nino Dostjes, covered 54 organizations that together managed more than $150,000,000 in annual budgets and employed nearly 1,500 people. "Together, nonprofits reported $6,860,000 in funding losses, and on top of that, another $2,130,000 in delayed reimbursements," Dostjes said. He added that 33 programs had been reduced or eliminated and that those changes directly affected more than 2,000 clients.
Why it matters: the groups surveyed are service providers for low-income residents, youth and families and function as local employers and economic drivers. Dostjes warned the cuts represent “erosion of the safety net,” citing staff burnout (reported by 73% of respondents) and increased workloads (68%). The report also found one in five respondents had scaled back or eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion work.
Local leaders connected the numbers to specific sectors. Panelists described immediate spikes in demand at food banks after temporary SNAP/CalFresh interruptions, housing programs that support more than 1,000 residents, and environmental and health grants that were paused or canceled. Leslie Castellano, who closed the forum, said survey respondents that filed answers represent a slice of the region’s roughly 779 active nonprofits and stressed that "80% of nonprofits that filled out the survey lost more than $10,000 due to recent federal cuts and changes."
What happens next: NorCann said the full report, Federal Shifts and Local Impacts — Part 2, was released Oct. 28 and will be circulated through its listserv. Forum organizers urged attendees to contact elected officials and to join collaborative efforts to stabilize funding and share administrative capacity. "Be bold and be ready," said Elizabeth O'Rourke of United Indian Health Services in her wrap-up message to the room.
