Citing a politically challenging and competitive funding landscape, the Kentucky Equal Justice Center is closing at the end of July.
Founded in 1976, the poverty law advocacy and research center worked “to promote equal justice for all residents of the Commonwealth by serving as an advocate for low income and other vulnerable members of society,” according to its website.
Now, nearly 50 years later, the organization “has faced increasing challenges sustaining our funding model — particularly in today’s political and philanthropic environment,” said spokesperson Natalie Chambers.
“The national funding landscape has grown increasingly competitive, especially for organizations that serve immigrants, refugees and undocumented individuals,” Chambers said. “That’s been further complicated by the chilling effect of the current federal administration’s rhetoric and policy priorities, which have made fundraising for this kind of work even more difficult.”
The center’s remaining 11 staff members will now lose their jobs at the end of the month, Chambers said. The “majority of our team” already lost their jobs earlier this year during a temporary suspension, she said.
“In many ways, this has felt like a not-so perfect storm. Looking back, we know there were changes we needed to make earlier to brace for what’s become an incredibly stormy environment for nonprofits doing justice-centered work,” Chambers said. “Even with strong partners and a mission we deeply believe in, we reached a point where continuing responsibly was no longer possible.”
Representatives for the center have testified in Frankfort on high profile bills and issues, including legislation to block transgender inmates from using public funds to access certain medical treatments; the omnibus and controversial anti-crime House Bill 5; and legislation to trim the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“This decision (to close) was not made lightly,” Shay Hutchinson, KEJC’s executive director, said in a statement. “It reflects the challenging funding landscape facing nonprofit legal advocacy organizations nationwide, not the strength or significance of our mission.”
The center is winding down all its work “responsibly” to make sure partners and clients “experience as little disruption as possible,” according to a Tuesday news release.
“We’re proud of the impact we’ve made and the partnerships we’ve built,” Hutchinson said. “Though KEJC is closing, the fight for justice in Kentucky continues. We hope our legacy inspires others to carry it forward.”
Written by Sarah Ladd. Cross-posted from the Kentucky Lantern.
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