The Community Foundation has engaged local freelance reporter, Susan Shelly McGovern, to write a series of articles that elevate the voices of Berks nonprofit agencies and the individuals they serve who are impacted by federal funding cuts, the federal government shutdown, and the state budget impasse. The goal of this series is to provide accurate information in a transparent manner regarding the real-world effects of these funding changes for Berks County.
The series is called “Government Cuts, Local Impact: A Series of Articles on How Federal and State Funding Affects Berks”.
What Role Does the Community Foundation Play? As a community foundation, we hear directly from the Berks nonprofits, agencies, businesses and individuals how government funding cuts impact their capacity to serve the community. The reality is that while philanthropy can help create vibrant and healthy communities, it is not designed to replace the stability of federal or state investments. Affordable housing, food security, access to education, workforce development, affordable healthcare and much more depend on federal dollars. When that funding is stripped or halted, we risk a reduction in essential local services.
Local philanthropy has never and will never be able to fill the void of government funding.
How Can I Read the Articles? New installations of the “Government Cuts, Local Impact” will be available at
www.bccf.org/govt-cuts-local-impact/ and promoted through the foundation’s social media and email lists. If you would like to receive these articles as they are published, please email marketing@bccf.org. As of October 13, 2025, the first article in this series is available at www.bccf.org/helping-harvest-funding-cuts/.
Opinions expressed in the “Government Cuts, Local Impact” series do not necessarily represent those of Berks County Community Foundation.
