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Highlights from HLF's 7th Annual Community Meeting
The Healthy Lakewood Foundation's 7th Annual Community Meeting, held on September 17, gathered over 80 community members to discuss the challenges facing the local non-profit sector, both nationwide and specifically in Lakewood. The event served as both a report to community partners and a strategic forum for navigating unprecedented challenges. To watch the meeting in full, please visit HLF’s YouTube channel.
Keynote speaker Annette Iwamoto, Director of the newly formed Cuyahoga Human Services Chamber, delivered critical insights about the current funding environment. Since January 2025, more than 200 executive orders have been signed, many of which have had direct or indirect consequences for nonprofit funding and operations, including the withholding of federal funding, programmatic changes, and freezes. Many organizations worry about their survival, struggling to retain staff as demand for their services continues to grow.
Despite these challenges, Annette offered hope by noting that 70% of legal cases challenging executive actions have resulted in favorable rulings for nonprofits. In Cuyahoga County alone, more than 100 Chamber member nonprofits employ over 8,000 people and contribute $750 million to the local economy, providing critical services that form the foundation of thriving communities.
Table discussions revealed both challenges and innovative solutions arising from the crisis. Participants identified staffing shortages, trust-building needs, and addressing fear as key barriers, while also exploring shared services models to reduce administrative overhead and leveraging AI for organizational efficiency.
The care and support our nonprofit leaders provide daily demonstrates remarkable resilience. Their expertise in finding and applying effective solutions remains vital as communities face growing needs with fewer federal resources. As one participant noted, nonprofits impact every community member, addressing food insecurity, youth programming, and "weaving the fabric of the community in countless ways."
The meeting's central message was clear: our way forward is together. HLF is committed to supporting the nonprofit ecosystem in Lakewood to uphold and build our capacity to respond and care for community members during these challenging times. The Foundation is developing its 2026-2029 strategic plan and updating its grant-making using extensive feedback from grantees.
HLF continues to actively engage in three collaborative efforts: the city's Community Health Action Team, the newly formed Lakewood Human Services Network, and the Greater Cleveland Funders Collaborative, working to enhance the understanding of community needs and strengthen the human services ecosystem.
Thank you to all the community partners who attended and continue to strengthen the fabric of our community through their dedication and service.
Sincerely,
Kate Ingersoll, Executive Director
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