Decreased funding to nonprofits threatens services for women, transgender girls

Verónica Colón, executive director of the Women’s Foundation

By The Star Staff

Decreased funding for nonprofit organizations threatens the continuity of services for women, girls and trans feminized individuals in Puerto Rico, a study shows.

The research indicates that 61% of organizations serving those populations have experienced funding cuts, increased operating expenses, and restrictions on team expansion. Consequently, 38.9% of the 59 organizations surveyed have had to reduce services, while 11.1% temporarily halted operations. The “Study on the Profile and Impact of Community Organizations That Offer Services to Cisgender, Transgender, and Trans Feminized Women and Girls in Puerto Rico” was conducted by Estudios Técnicos Inc. for the Puerto Rico Women’s Foundation.

“These organizations not only provide essential services but also transform lives and communities. At the Puerto Rico Women’s Foundation, we commissioned this study because we recognized a significant gap in systematically gathering information about the profile and reach of community organizations working with women, girls, and trans women in Puerto Rico,” said Verónica Colón, executive director of the Women’s Foundation. “We aimed to generate concrete evidence from a feminist perspective regarding their fundamental role, which would support our philanthropic strategies and strengthen public advocacy on behalf of these organizations.”

Colón emphasized that the study demonstrated the critical importance of community organizations in a context where state support is lacking.

“They offer shelter, healthcare, education, legal and emotional support, and even technical training,” she said. “Additionally, the study highlighted that for every dollar invested in these initiatives, between $3 and $4 are generated in social and economic benefits. This serves as powerful validation of their transformative impact, even though they operate with limited resources, volunteer support, and modest funding.”

According to the study, the organizations surveyed collectively serve more than 15,000 individuals annually. Their focus includes addressing gender-based violence (77.8%); raising awareness about the rights of women, girls and transgender individuals (55.6%); and providing housing (27.8%), economic development (22.2%), disaster relief (22.2%), and food assistance (5.6%), among other services.

Among those addressing gender-based violence, 64.3% offer case management, while 57.1% provide legal advocacy and support for individuals escaping violent situations. On average, the organizations serve about 340 people per year.

The study also included interviews with participants facing issues such as domestic violence, social exclusion, and family rejection, which encompassed victims of domestic violence and transgender individuals. The interviewees accessed a variety of services, including psychological support and technical training in traditionally male-dominated fields such as carpentry and plumbing. The emotional support and mentorship provided helped them break cycles of violence, recognize their rights, and promote their economic independence, reported Anitza Cox Marrero, director of analysis and social policy at Estudios Técnicos.

To enhance the work of the community organizations, the study recommends fostering financial sustainability through recurring and long-term grants, as well as exploring funding mechanisms in partnership with the private sector.

“Our primary recommendation is to strengthen the administrative and financial sustainability of these organizations,” Colón said. “It is crucial to prioritize long-term, recurring funding and invest in internal capabilities, such as strategic planning, results evaluation, the use of technological tools, and peer-to-peer technical assistance networks.”

“We also advise strengthening alliances with other organizations and sectors to collectively influence public policies that acknowledge and fund their essential work,” she added. “Finally, there is a need to systematize practices and results to demonstrate the value of their model and replicate successful experiences. These invaluable organizations urgently require the support, resources, and recognition they deserve.”