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Closing Remarks
News and Views from the World of Non-Profit Closures, Project Endings, and Our Changing Narrative Around Impact and Longevity In Civil Society 19 July 2024
Hey everyone! 1) Laid Off Employees of Shuttered Benefits Data Trust Demand Answers
BDT was a U.S. nonprofit that harnessed the power of data, technology, and policy to provide efficient and dignified access to these programs, improving people's health and financial security. They'd received a $20 million no-strings grant from Mackenzie Scott in 2022. In an -- as yet -- unanswered open letter, confused employees have demanded transparency about the abrupt closure and a smoother transition towards the end. 2) NYC Cuts Off Direct Cash Relief
In other benefits-related news, thousands of New Yorkers stand to lose their direct cash benefits; as the city intends to eliminate the COVID emergency exception to the work requirement. Over half a million New Yorkers receive some form of cash assistance. 3) UK Veterans Charity Sporting Force Shutters
Sporting Force, which provided education, exercise and social events to relieve social isolation for military veterans in Darlington, UK, will close today. 4) New York Writers Coalition Closes
After 22 years, NYWC has made the difficult devision to close. NYWC was one of the largest community-based creative writing programs in the world. They partnered with public and private institutions, social service agencies, and social justice organizations to provide unique, empowering ongoing weekly creative writing workshops throughout New York City. 5) Ill-fated U.S. military pier in Gaza meets ill fate
In a move that will surprise exactly no one, the much-criticized "humanitarian" operation in Gaza will close after only 25 days of operation. While military officials claim the mission was accomplished, critics lament the pier as a $230 million failure. 6) In the rot of our times, together | Death, decomposition and regeneration
In a recent Substack post, regenerative designer Rachel Maria Taylor muses on the importance of hospicing and composting through the lens of Ursula LeGuin's excellent book The Dispossessed. "I’ve been toying with the idea of what it would mean to be a death doula, not for people, but for that which holds us in an expired paradigm that continues to undermine all life and all livingness – that of ourselves, our communities, our societies, our lands and our waters. Is there a role for a death doula, to hospice all that asks to die but our broken systems keep on life support?"
There is! That's what I do, y'all. Yours in the end, Camille ________________________________________________ Thank you for reading. You can always let me know what you think, and feel free to share anything you think I may have missed! Closing Remarks is brought to you by The Wind Down, a consultancy for exploring, building, designing, and delivering better non-profit endings. If someone forwarded this to you and you'd like to subscribe, you can sign up here.
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