Despite an uptick in individual contributions aided by the surging stock market, Connecticut nonprofit leaders say huge losses in fee-for-service revenue during the coronavirus pandemic have led to reductions in staffing, loss of access for needy residents and — in some cases — programs shutting down entirely.
In many cases, Connecticut community nonprofits are “still struggling to get through this crisis,” said Gian-Carl Casa, president and CEO of The Alliance, an organization representing hundreds of nonprofits.
“Donations are valuable and so appreciated by the people who receive them, but they just simply can’t be expected to do the job that the state and federal government needs to do in order to provide the services that folks need.”
As COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths surged in March and April, patients stayed away from in-person medical appointments. Organizations across the health and human services sector spent millions of unbudgeted dollars on personal protective equipment, cleaning services, overtime and hazard pay for workers and technology needed to pivot to telehealth.