Impact in the Face of Divestment: The State of Community Spring in 2026
As we move through 2026, we find ourselves in an unanticipated position. Our impact is at an all-time high, but this is not reflected in our financial sustainability. On a national level, the philanthropic sector is retreating when it should be doubling down. We are feeling this too.
At Community Spring, we have always believed that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. In 2025, we sharpened that belief into a clear theory of change focused on three essential pillars: Income, Power, and Community. By every internal and external metric, this focus is working. Community Spring is stronger, more effective, and regularly recognized as a national model. However, we are seeing a philanthropic retreat from grassroots organizations, especially those working in justice reform. Without additional philanthropic support, Community Spring faces potential contraction of the organization and our impact.
A Model That Works
In Gainesville, Florida, we are demonstrating that it is possible to make progressive change in challenging climates.
The evidence is clear. A randomized control trial conducted by the University of Pennsylvania recently proved what we already knew: guaranteed income significantly lowers recidivism rates and outperforms traditional correctional programs. On the policy side, our community has successfully championed free jail phone calls, implemented the state’s most progressive fines and fees reforms, and passed a landmark Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance. Our fellowship alumni are leading social justice initiatives at local and national organizations.
Our reach extends far beyond Gainesville, Florida. We have advised over 40 municipalities across the country on guaranteed income and have been featured in over 60 local, national, and international publications. Just in the last few months, the National League of Cities and the Prison Policy Initiative have held up our work as a model to be replicated across the country.
Community Spring is a blueprint for what it means to invest in people rather than punishment.
The State of the Philanthropic Sector
And yet, despite all these accomplishments, we have yet to secure the consistent funding required to sustain this impactful organization. Several factors outside our control contribute to this.
In 2026, the philanthropic sector is gripped by crisis exhaustion. Large foundations are becoming increasingly risk-averse, pulling away from grassroots organizations to focus on national entities. Few foundations accept unsolicited proposals, which means philanthropic success is a result of social capital and connections. This policy favors nonprofits in major cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and New York, where nonprofits are proximate to major foundations. Meanwhile, the momentum for criminal justice reform that surged after George Floyd's murder in 2020 has largely evaporated. Funding for racial equity and justice has plummeted.
Florida: The Sacrifice Zone
Nowhere is this pullback felt more than here in Florida. For years, national philanthropy has largely ignored Florida, considering it a place deemed too expensive or too politically difficult to make progress.
But this has a cost that the rest of the country is now paying. By treating Florida as a lost cause, our state has become a laboratory for regressive policies. Florida’s bans on DEI and its aggressive "anti-riot" laws have become national templates, trickling out into the Midwest and across the South.
Doing a Lot with a Little
Community Spring has always been a high-impact investment because we are used to doing a lot with a little.
As of now, our funding is sustained through a combination of private foundation grants and individual donors. We do not take public dollars. Individual donors make up about a quarter of our funding, and as the landscape of private foundations changes, we need to grow that piece of the pie to sustain and grow our impact.
Every bit counts. Our median gift size is just $43. Our Recurring Donor Club is a prime example of how we build power together through small, consistent support. Consisting of 70 members who give an average of $44/month, this group of investors brings in $3,080 every month in predictable income that is a foundational aspect of our revenue model.
A Call for Partnership
We are asking you to partner with us in the work. We have the data, we have the models, and we have the track record. What we need is the financial ability to maintain and grow.
Investing in Community Spring isn’t just about supporting a local nonprofit; it’s about investing in a movement that refuses to let Florida be a sacrifice zone. It’s about building durable, lasting change driven by those closest to the issues.
How you can stand with us:
Amazing Give: Now through May 7, 2026, one-time donations are being matched 1:1
Join the Recurring Donor Club: Consistent monthly giving is the most powerful tool we have against financial instability.
Advocate: Read our updates, follow us on social, share our content, and join our events.
Connect Us: If you believe in this work, introduce us to people interested in joining the movement or funders who have the capacity to make a significant, multi-year investment in the future of Florida.
Community Spring is programmatically strong. We are both a local force and a national model. But currently, our impact is limited by our ability to secure significant and sustainable revenue. We look forward to working with you so that Community Spring can grow to a size worthy of its potential impact.
