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October 31, 2024
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Happy Halloween!
As we here in the United States round the corner to Election Day and the (blessed!) end of this long and troubling campaign season, many are positively paralyzed with fear. Lots of valued institutions appear to hang in the balance and people around the world are glued to their phones, televisions, and radios in anxious anticipation.
While some philanthropists and government agencies have already shifted or locked in their funding priorities in line with what they believe will be important in the years to come, many nonprofit funders are holding their breath and purse strings as they wait to assess their situation after the proverbial dust settles.
As the stories and articles flood in day after day and I explore what is under threat and what is closing, it is not all gloom and doom over here. I truly hope you observe that this work is not driven by a glee in failure, but rather a celebration of the human ability to release so that they can, hopefully, try again later.
So here's to those who accept the momentary defeats and inevitable endings so they can push forward and shift their energy somewhere new. They truly understand that the work of meeting great need on our planet spans beyond any one moment or any one organization.
A luta continua ....here's this week's links!
1) How an idealistic, radical, urban church came apart
"They couldn't come to a common story of how race functioned in the church."
In this excellent episode of Fresh Air, host Terry Gross interviews writer Eliza Griswold about her book, Circle of Hope: A Reckoning With Love, Power and Justice in an American Church. The book is a probing look at the rise and fall of a progressive, young church in Philadelphia that could not reconcile the internal fissures that began to emerge during the first COVID summer.
I offer a free hotline for organizations considering closure and the story Eliza tells ---- about the group's inability to sufficiently respond to questions of race, gender, health, sexual preference, and power --- is one I hear so very often. COVID brought so many issues to light in so many groups!
I can't recommend this interview enough, and I very much look forward to reading the book!
2) Los Angeles farmers markets in lean times
Nonprofit Food for Access LA, which runs several farmers' markets in the area is sounding the alarm that they don't believe they will be able to stay open much longer. According to their leadership, the cost of operations have become overwhelming and market patronage continues to dwindle. Market shoppers and vendors face an uncertain future.
3) Scottish rural housing group shuts its doors
Despite the still-urgent need for housing in many rural areas of Scotland, the almost 25 year-old Rural Housing Scotland found itself in a financial situation that rendered it unable to fulfill its mission.
4) Iowa musicians group goes quiet
After 20 years of operations, The Greater Des Moines Music Coalition has made the decision to leave the stage. DMMC was focused on strengthening diversity in the area's musical landscape. According to their website, the local scene has changed to the point that they feel that other organizations are now better positioned to serve the community. They are now in the process of transferring their beloved 80/35 music festival over to new organizers.
6) Canadian health lifeline under threat
While the Calgary Refugee Health Clinic services an ever growing influx of refugees in the area, they are currently facing the possibility of a March 2025 shut down.
Appeals to the Alberta health ministry have been rejected despite the province operating with a near $4 billion surplus due to higher than expected oil revenue. The clinic's directors are currently scrambling to find a way forward.
7) Quebec food bank finds itself homeless
Last Friday was the last --- and maybe final --- day for the 15 year-old Racine Croisée food bank, which operated out of Montreal's Plateau neighborhood. The landlord for their rented space revoked their lease due to complaints from their neighbors.
According to the article, 872,000 Quebecers (Quebecois/se/sx?) were helped by food banks each month in 2023 — nearly a 75 per cent increase since 2019. The volunteers that run the food bank are now scrambling to find a new space, while the 16,000 families who count on the weekly distributions are at loose ends as Quebec heads into another bitterly cold winter season.
8) The day UK nightlife dies
This is not quite non-profit, but I am an avid raver whose music tastes were shaped by the UK scene and I truly believe clubs and promoters do critical work around the world, so this news broke my heart. This week, the British Night Time Industry Association (NTIA) issued a dire warning that --- at the rate that venues are closing --- December 31, 2029, could be the UK’s "last night out".
Since the start of 2024, the UK has lost three nightclubs a week. NTIA is making a dire appeal to the government for sustained financial support, recognition of iconic clubs like Fabric and Ministry of Sounds as legitimate (and commensurately funded!) cultural institutions, and alleviation of regulation that causes these venues undue hardship. Thanks to my lil' bro James for the tip!
9) Washington community pushes back against potential school loss
Families, teachers, and administrators are reeling from news that the Seattle school district plans to close 4 schools around the city. The city is facing a $100 million dollar shortfall and believes that they can save $5 million by shifting staff and students away from these "under-enrolled" schools. Local activists are pushing back against the proposal, but the Seattle schools superintendent believes these and further cuts are inevitable,
10) Midwest "People's Orchestra" strums final notes
As Jay Fishman, the conductor and artistic director of the Minnesota Sinfonia retires after 36 years old, the entire symphony will go with him. The ensemble of 26 professional freelance musicians operated the Music in the Schools program in the Minneapolis-St.Paul "Twin Cities" area reaching upwards of 200,000 inner-city students. They also played 60 to 70 free concerts a year, entertaining thousands in the area. Fishman noted that funding shortfalls were to blame.
While the school music program will wrap up at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, the final two concerts happened last weekend.
11) 175 year-old church gives up the ghost...and finds a new occupant
While Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ in Evansville, Indiana celebrated its 175th anniversary this year, the fact that it was failing had been evident to its leadership for many years. In its search for a group that could keep the building open, maintain its infrastructure, and be of greater service to the community, it was connected with a local nonprofit called Aurora. As the congregation exits the church, Aurora plans to take over the space with plans for a new playground, fitness center, community room and more.
12) Sunset, sunrise: an ecology center blossoms in a new home
In the very first issue of Closing Remarks (alllllll the way back in July), I shared about the sunset of the 170 year-old Birmingham-Southern College. At the time, the academic space was reeling from an absolute avalanche of university closings. I understood what a mess was being created for students, administrators, professor, and alumni, but I didn't even consider the fact that centers and other fiscally-sponsored groups within the schools also often have to find new homes.
In this story, we learn how the Southern Environmental Center (SEC), an environmental education and conservation program formerly located at Birmingham-Southern College, found a new home at thee Alabama Environmental Council (AEC). The merger marks a homecoming of sorts; the AEC helped found the SEC in the late 1980s.
Yours in the end,
Camille
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Closing Remarks is brought to you by The Wind Down, a consultancy for exploring, building, designing, and delivering better non-profit endings. You can read previous issues in the archive here.
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