photo by: Contributed Photo

Megan Stuke, executive director of The Willow Domestic Violence Center

The Willow Domestic Violence Center is currently facing a $300,000 budget shortfall for fiscal year 2021, executive director Megan Stuke told the Journal-World Tuesday.

On Monday, Gov. Laura Kelly announced $7.8 million in grants to Kansas domestic violence and sexual assault programs and children’s advocacy centers. These are grants that organizations such as The Willow and the Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center apply for yearly and rely on for their operating budgets. Stuke said The Willow depended on these grants and others to make up 80% of the agency’s operating budget every year.

“It is no secret that most nonprofit organizations run on a shoestring budget,” she said. “Funding comes to nonprofits primarily through government grants, private foundation grants, and donations by supportive individuals and businesses.”

The Willow received $301,118 in state and federal grants, and the Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center, also located in Lawrence, received $127,875.

Though grateful to be a recipient of the money, Stuke said that since The Willow recently purchased a second shelter, it had requested additional money this year. It ended up receiving a similar amount that what it got for fiscal year 2020, leaving it with a budget shortfall.

“The state is experiencing a budget shortage due to the pandemic, and while the governor’s office has generously maintained our usual funding via the State General Fund (SGF), and the Attorney General’s office has also awarded us our annual grants, our operating budget is still falling short by about 20 percent,” she wrote in an email to the Journal-World.

The Willow’s annual budget is typically over $1.5 million, meaning a 20% shortfall equals $300,000. That $300,000 must be raised to maintain basic functioning, Stuke said.

As the Journal-World has previously reported, The Willow is currently fundraising for its capital campaign. That project is separate from the budget shortfall, as its funds go to the purchase and functioning of the organization’s second shelter. The additional $300,000 The Willow needs for its budget will go toward payroll, supplies and money to help survivors who need support as they move into independent housing.

“Pandemic conditions are hard for everyone, and funding is short everywhere. The Willow is no exception, and our need is particularly great under the circumstances, as it is necessary for us to help more people than ever with safe shelter, rent, utility assistance, and emotional support,” Stuke said. “The infusion of this most recent round of Governor’s grants lays the foundation for that, however, it is important to contextualize that the grants make up just part of a health organization’s overall budgetary needs.”