From left to right: Congressman Byron Donalds, Brittany Lamont (Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance), Eleni Sokos (Oysters Rock Hospitality), Veronica Thames (Manatee Community Foundation), and Dianne Kopcynski (Maulin & Jenkins). Provided photo.

“We defend and we build a way of life not for America alone, but for all mankind” – Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Manatee-Sarasota area has much to celebrate, but its greatest asset lies in what its extraordinary and extensive network of nonprofits does every day. These organizations are our innovation incubators, our problem solvers. Our safety net.

Right now, that net is stretching thin.

Today’s climate presents a ‘perfect storm’ of challenges. Changes to the federal tax code have disincentivized charitable giving. A cap on itemized deductions has discouraged individual donors, and corporations must now meet a 1% taxable income floor before qualifying for deductions. Simultaneously, historic cuts to federal and state programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), Medicaid, and public education are placing more pressure on nonprofits, many already at capacity.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe in efficiency and see opportunities for optimization, but most of the 850 nonprofits we work with provide essential services that cannot be replaced. And more than 200 nonprofits in our region rely on federal grants. In MCF’s recent survey, 60% reported state or federal funding losses in the past year. Nearly half expect more cuts in the next six months.This loss is not abstract. The most profound effects of the Big Beautiful Bill will hit from 2027 to 2029, impacting housing, healthcare, food security, and education most. The ALICE population—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—may fall into poverty, while middle-class families slip into ALICE. That’s not the future we want for our region.

We’re already seeing warning signs. Cuts are hitting school programs and childcare, threatening an already strained workforce. The Florida Chamber reports only half of Florida children are kindergarten-ready, and 1.8 million adults lack a GED. Last year, 150,000 workers—mostly women—left jobs due to childcare shortages. Without support, Florida won’t have the workforce to fill the 1.45 million new jobs projected by 2030. Inadequate childcare already costs the state more than $5.6 billion annually in lost economic impact. Manatee County alone has experienced a $2.3 million cut in ELC dollars this year.

The ripple effects will likely hit small businesses and working families hardest, often in multiple ways: losing SNAP benefits, healthcare coverage, and childcare access all at once. Our nonprofit ecosystem is strong, but that makes us vulnerable. When programs vanish, government agencies must step in without the resources or expertise to meet rising needs. MCF is responding with urgency. In early September, I visited Washington, D.C. with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance to advocate for our region’s nonprofits. We met with key decision makers including Congressmen Vern Buchanan, Byron Donalds, and Greg Steube, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to ensure nonprofits are top of mind in funding strategies.

As challenges mount, we expect nonprofits will refocus on core missions, cut programs, consolidate, and reimagine service delivery. These shifts may improve efficiency but reduce services. MCF is committed to supporting the transition sustainably. We’re also gathering real-time data from nonprofits through our survey to guide advocacy and ground conversations with leaders, focusing on real challenges rather than media hype.

And we’re building smarter systems. With Manatee County Government, MCF is implementing Unite Us, a data-driven platform that tracks referrals, shows resource gaps, and connects clients with wraparound services. As the cliché goes, we want to ‘teach a man to fish.’ Food banks meet urgent needs; Unite Us connects people to job training and resources that address root causes. Health equals wealth, and vice versa. We cannot thrive if basic needs go unmet or hospitals are overrun with uninsured patients—costs rise for everyone, and care suffers.

So, nonprofit partners, time to lean in. Remember your value: you deliver services government cannot, with compassion and expertise. Lead with data: clearly communicate your return on investment. Operate with transparency: use tools like Unite Us to document your reach in ways funders and policymakers can’t ignore. And please, connect with SPeterson@ManateeCF.org to take MCF’s survey so we know how best to support your success.

Donors and advocates: your philanthropy strengthens our community’s backbone. Support policies that protect education, SNAP, and Medicaid. Ask elected officials to include nonprofits in decisions and give generously for a brighter tomorrow.

We can’t afford to wait. Our response today will determine if the safety net holds.

Veronica Thames is the CEO of the Manatee Community Foundation.

From left to right: Congressman Byron Donalds, Brittany Lamont (Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance), Eleni Sokos (Oysters Rock Hospitality), Veronica Thames (Manatee Community Foundation), and Dianne Kopcynski (Maulin & Jenkins). Provided photo.

To learn more click here