Millions at risk, Catholic Charities calls on Trump to reverse NGO funding freeze

The president of Catholic Charities USA has urged the Trump administration to reconsider its pause on federal funding for grants and loans to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), acknowledging the millions of Americans who rely on this life-giving support. On Monday, the acting head of the Office of Management and Budget, which oversees the federal budget, said all federal grants and loans would be put on hold. 

At the same time, the administration reviewed them to ensure they aligned with President Donald Trump’s priorities, including executive orders he signed last week ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. On Tuesday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the funding freeze, and administration officials conducted an ideological review across the board to uproot progressive initiatives.

Essential services at risk: Catholic Charities reveals

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson has announced that federal aid to NGOs, typically nonprofit organizations, will be frozen.

“Last year, 92 per cent of the services provided by the 168 independent Catholic Charities agencies around the country covered basic needs — access to food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities — for families and individuals struggling to get by,” said Robinson.

“These vital services include food pantries for those who can’t afford groceries, child care programs for low-income families, meal deliveries for homebound seniors, job training resources for veterans, temporary and permanent housing, mental health services, and more. The millions of Americans who rely on this life-giving support will suffer due to the unprecedented effort to freeze federal aid supporting these programs. 

The people who will lose access to crucial care are our neighbors and family members. They live in every corner of the country and represent all races, religions, and political affiliations.” 

Service to the poor legacy

The National Conference of Catholic Charities was founded in 1910 as an attorney for the poor. In 1986, the organization was renamed CCUSA.

In 1990, The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops formally asked the organization to oversee domestic disaster response efforts on behalf of the Catholic Church in the U.S. CCUSA comprises of 168 diocesan Catholic Charities agencies serving millions of people each year. 

Its work includes providing affordable housing, food and nutrition, disaster relief, health support, workforce development, and immigration services.

Trump administration urged to rethink its decision

Robinson further emphasized the Catholic Charities network’s work with the government to care for poor and vulnerable people in every community in the U.S. and its continued eagerness to work with the government to care for its neighbors in need. She strongly urges the administration to reconsider this decision.

With the review process in view, millions of Americans and the organizations serving them remain uncertain about their future without support.