U.S. Air Force file photo

A week after President Donald Trump ordered a federal spending freeze that could have affected trillions of dollars in grants and loans across the country, some local organizations remain concerned about their future assisting underserved populations.

The freeze, which would have immediately paused federal grants and loans as of Tuesday, Jan. 28, could have affected trillions of dollars in health care research, education and nonprofit organizations, even including grants that had been awarded but not yet used.

Despite a judge’s order stopping the funding freeze, all signs point to it continuing.

Several Central Valley nonprofit organizations voiced concerns about the freezes that fall in line with Trump’s executive orders to purge “diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hires” and walk back progressive steps seeking to integrate marginalized groups into various industries.

“The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve,” Matthew Vaeth, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget wrote last week.

What could be affected locally

The Marjaree Mason Center, which serves as the Central Valley’s only nonprofit solely committed to sheltering and supporting victims of domestic violence in Fresno County, receives federal funding for a number of its programs.

Last year, the nonprofit organization received $850,000 from the federal government to support its new Isnardi Foundation Community Resource Center, which opened this past January.

Despite community support, the organization still depends on federal dollars to serve its clients — victims and survivors of domestic violence.

“The survivors we serve cannot afford to wait while federal agencies review funding — they need our help now,” according to a statement from the Marjaree Mason Center last week.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County, which operates 14 clubs, many in rural communities, also relies on federal funding to continue operations. President Diane Carbray about 10% of their funding comes from federal sources.

“Any funding from grants and federal is always a liability,” Carbray said. “We rely on the community for support — that’s what’s really so important.”

While threats of funding cuts to organizations based on DEI and other factors have not been clarified, Carbray emphasized that the organization focuses on creating an atmosphere of inclusiveness and comfort in their clients — children aged 6 to 18.

“We’re already supporting all of the diversity and unity in our clubs and communities,” she said. “The diversity in Fresno, it’s county-wide; we are fortunate to have a staff of all ethnicities.”

While the immediate threat of a funding freeze was put on hold Monday by U.S. Judge Loren AliKhan, the White House said later that it would continue to review federal funding, leading to ongoing uncertainty.

The activities of billionaire Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE, may also exacerbate concerns over reports that they are holing up in government agencies and auditing their systems to cut spending.

Widespread impact

The Central California Food Bank (CCFB), which provides 46 million pounds of food annually, is also concerned, largely due to its inclusiveness of culturally appropriate foods — something that may be threatened by a crackdown on DEI and progressive programs.

“I don’t really think there’s a lot of clarity over what will happen or could happen given the administrative stay that was issued,” said Natalie Caples, co-CEO at CCFB.

Caples, who met with her team extensively last week when the ruling first came down, said that the executive order was aimed to root out DEI programs, aiming to “promote efficiency in government,” adding that the pause on federal funding would affect how the food bank receives food and administrative funding.

Caples confirmed that those programs are supported by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Much of the food bank’s administrative costs are reimbursed through the federal government, which CCFB fears could lead to a backlog in food delivery. With half of the food bank’s food consisting of fresh produce, a future hold could potentially waste thousands of food, in addition to potential administrative funding losses, creating a double whammy for the nonprofit.

“If all of these things come to fruition, worst case scenario, 60 member-partners in Fresno County will have significantly less access to food insecure neighbors,” she said.