Compass Center impacted with federal funding in limbo

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – It has been a hectic week for nonprofit organizations, small businesses, schools and other agencies that rely on federal funds.

“We are merely looking at parts of the big bureaucracy where there has been tremendous waste, fraud and abuse.” President Donald Trump said.

On Wednesday, the White House walked back its initial memo to freeze all federal grants and loans. Although the freeze is paused for now, recipients around the country are concerned, including the Compass Center in Sioux Falls which provides crisis services to victims of abuse.

“For us, it’s always a much more time-sensitive matter because victims can’t wait to file a protection order. They can’t wait to get new locks on their doors. They can’t wait for those things because if they do, their life could be on the line,” Compass Center, executive director, Michelle Trent said.

Trent says about 40%-60% of the non-profit’s total budget is touched by federal funds. This week Trent said the organization looked to ensure its crisis services were able to hold up with alternative funds.

“We have victims walking in all day long and it’s hard to even give a number sometimes of how many people are coming in each day. So certainly serving a need in the community and those victims need us for safety,” Trent said.

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Because of the uncertainty, the organization has paused the launch of a new youth program that was set for February.

Over 30 community partners like the Sioux Falls School District and Police Department were involved in the Youth Voices in Prevention Program. However, now that’s going to have to wait until there’s more clarity on the funding.

“We’re hopeful that we can restart up the work in that program soon, but at this moment, we’re uncertain as to when that might be,” Trent said.

In the meantime, The Compass Center says it will continue community outreach funding efforts, like the Compass50.