CommUnify addresses potential impact of federal funding freeze in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - On January 27, 2025, President Trump's Office of Management and Budget presented a memorandum ordering a freeze of federal grants.
During Tuesday's Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting, chair Laura Capps asked CommUnify’s CEO Patricia Keelean about her concerns over potential federal funding cuts.
“What we are facing right now is potential devastating for our community … for those who are most vulnerable obviously we are very concerned," said Keelean at the meeting.
Keelean’s main concern is the impact that federal funding cuts could have on several of its programs serving the vulnerable.
These include the Weatherization Program, the Utilities Assistance Program and the Headstart Program.
"Our Headstart program provides early education for approximately 600 families from carpentry to guadalupe … so this is a vital service needed for parents so that they can go to work," said Keelean.
If federal funds are cut for CommUnify's programs, Keelean believes it will have a domino effect on our community.
“Because if they can not go to work, they can not support to their families ... in addition to that, we’re going to see an economic hit in Santa Barbara County," said Keelean.
CEO Geoff Green of CalNonprofit sees the nonprofit as “a massive part of Santa Barbara’s infrastructure and economy.”
He's concerned about the impact that federal funding cuts could have on all nonprofits in California.
"Well, it was one of the most most irresponsible things I’ve ever seen out of the federal government nonprofit. The second largest revenue source is public contracts ... people don’t realize that many of the organizations they depend on for services from childcare to education after school programs," said Green.
Directors of CommUnify say many of the funding cuts being discussed could impact some of the most vulnerable in our community.
“When we think about the real impact for our families … that means our seniors may not be able to afford their prescription drugs anymore … may not be able to afford their rent ... we will all feel that impact," said Keelean.
Federal judges have blocked president Trump's federal funding freeze.
The freeze is also being challenged by 22 mostly democratic-led states and the District of Columbia.