A recent article addressed the impact of planned federal funding cuts on the nonprofit sector, with particular concern for the likely impact on small nonprofits in rural areas (“Maine nonprofits try to navigate funding cuts, unclear rules and an uncertain future,” April 29).

One commenter suggested that local communities can just pick up the slack. That point of view assumes Maine’s local communities — which want to protect their health, safety and economic development — have the informed capacity to do so. In fact, many don’t, especially smaller towns and townships in rural areas.

The reality is that Maine’s public health system is a unique partnership between nonprofit partners and governmental agencies. It is primarily nonprofits that build relationships and trust with local communities to address their health and safety at ground level. Essential ongoing public health services are funded directly with federal dollars or by federal funds passed through state programs. Time-limited projects are funded by some philanthropies, hospitals or universities.

This partnership played a key role in Maine’s COVID-19 response efforts, which fared better than many states. Cutting federal funds both for governmental public health and for nonprofits is cutting off community health at the knees. It would hinder efforts to improve child and maternal health, keep our air and water clean and ensure people in rural Maine have access to care.

It is crystal clear that Maine needs our congressional delegation to protect federal funding for governmental public health and for nonprofits throughout the FY 26 appropriation process

Christine Lyman
Brunswick