The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Nonprofit Leaders Face Tough Choices on Staffing, Fundraising as Federal Cutbacks Continue

May 28, 2025, Chronicle of Philanthropy

LOWELL — After years of winning praise from law enforcement and policy makers, including an invite to the Biden White House, staff members at the violence-prevention nonprofit UTEC were surprised when the Justice Department notified them last month that it would terminate about $2 million in grant funding. The Massachusetts-based organization, which has since 1999 been helping educate and train young adults previously involved in criminal activity and gangs, was told its work doesn’t align with Trump administration priorities. 

In the past month, DOJ has slashed more than $800 million in grants to dozens of other organizations on the same grounds, including those focused on reducing gun violence and improving relationships between police and communities of color. Currently, about 60 percent of UTEC’s budget is made up of state and federal contracts, according to its CEO, Gregg Croteau. The nonprofit, like many others, faces an uncertain future as the administration and Congress propose further funding reductions, including deep cuts to benefits programs like Medicaid and food assistance.