Months into the pandemic, many Arizona nonprofit organizations are facing major budget shortfalls, and they are calling for more government relief.
For homeless service providers, food banks, museums and animal shelters in the state, the pandemic has meant canceled fundraisers, fewer volunteers and declining donations. At the same time, as unemployment remains high and individuals struggle, many nonprofit organizations are seeing increased demand for services. Then, there are the new expenses related to moving services online or operating in-person with more safety precautions.
The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits is calling for Congress to act quickly to pass another relief bill that includes an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program as well as direct support to individuals.
Federal aid provided by the CARES Act won't stretch far enough, said Brent Downs, with the Phoenix employment nonprofit St. Joseph the Worker.
“We’re pretty good for right now, but I can’t make that assurance for 90 days from now, or even 60 days, because the assistance we got through the PPP just bought us three months," Downs said in a call with reporters Wednesday.
In a recent Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits survey of members, about two-thirds of nonprofits that responded said they would only be able to operate for another year or less if revenues continue to fall short.
“Our ability to be innovative on a reduced capacity at some point is going to hit a wall, " said Kristen Merrifield, CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits. "We need donors to continue to give, we need elected officials to continue to act and provide relief for this sector.”
