Our Arms Will Remain Open
Dear Open Arms Community,
I am writing today with an update on the week’s events. As you know by now, late Monday night President Trump issued a federal funding pause via memo released by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on grants and contracts, that was to be effective Tuesday. However, the pause was temporarily stopped by a federal judge, and the injunction is in effect until 5 p.m. on Monday February 3.
Then on Wednesday there was more confusion when the announcement came out that the federal order was rescinded, only to learn hours later that it was only the memo from the OMB that was rescinded—not the actual order.
The current lack of clarity is creating chaos for nutrition providers like Open Arms. Open Arms of Minnesota relies on federal grants and contracts that support our work in the community. The federal funding pause affects grants and contracts Open Arms signed months ago, to fund meals that we have already and will continue to send clients. We are devastated by this news, as it would have serious and immediate consequences for our clients and for our ability to provide critical nutrition support and food services for critically ill and food insecure individuals and their families statewide.
Many of you have asked how you can help – thank you! Please contact your legislators ,and urge them to continue already approved federal funding that so many in our community and across Minnesota rely on.
President Trump’s funding freeze will not only affect federally funded services across Minnesota but also threatens the sustainability of long-term programs and partnerships. While the situation continues to evolve, we are committed to keeping our Open Arms community informed. Above all, our primary concern remains the well-being of our clients, who will be significantly impacted by these decisions. Please read below for more information on this proposed funding freeze and what it could mean for your critically-ill neighbors.
Open Arms has been a pillar of service, hope and strength since 1986, and the resilience of this community continues to inspire us. Your generosity and compassion are the heart of Open Arms, and together we will continue to serve those who count on us for life-sustaining nutrition.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you would like to share.
Leah Hébert Welles
Chief Executive Officer
What We Know:
- On the evening of Monday, Jan. 29, President Trump ordered a freeze on federal funding — including grants and loans that come into Minnesota to fund health care, food and nutrition systems.
- On Tuesday afternoon, just minutes before the President’s order was scheduled to begin, Judge Loren L. AliKhan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a stay, pausing the implementation of an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that froze all disbursements of federal loans and grant programs. While this halt quiets immediate fears, there is still a great deal of uncertainty among agencies and programs.
- On Wednesday afternoon news came that the order was rescinded only to find out it was simply the OMB memo that was rescinded.
- The pause is temporary, but no end date has been declared. Some news agencies are reporting February 10 as a freeze deadline, but the OMB memo names that as a deadline for federal agencies to identify programs, projects, and activities subject to the pause, not the resumption of funding.
- Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan are working with state agency staff to understand the extent of the President’s decision and identify all impacted services.
- This is an enormous amount of work and a situation that continues to evolve by the hour. It will take significant time and resources to assess the full impact on programs and staff.
For more information about the funding freeze’s broader impact across the nonprofit sector both in Minnesota and nationally, we encourage you to check out the resources provided by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and National Council of Nonprofits.
