Local nonprofits eye state budget

Nonprofit agencies that rely on state government for large portions of their funding are watching the Capitol, knowing big cuts at the state level will trickle down to them. The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank has been getting a share of $5 million in state money in recent years, about $775,000, to buy food from Louisiana producers. “There’s still time at the Capitol, but it’s not looking too good for that,” says Food Bank CEO Mike Manning. The Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center has several service contracts with state agencies, so big cuts at, say, the Department of Social Services, will be reflected in those contracts. Nonprofit leaders largely agree that the needs here have increased since the post-Katrina population increase. A sluggish economy also causes private contributions to dip, while the demand for social services only grows. “We obviously know we can’t expect additional funding, which is really what’s needed,” says Norma Rutledge, executive director of the Crisis Center. “We’re praying for level.”—David Jacobs