# Cost-of-living crisis highlights need for greater funder support for BAMER-led nonprofits – report

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/05/12/cost-of-living-crisis-highlights-need-for-greater-funder-support-for-bamer-led-nonprofits-report/
- Published: 2023-05-12T08:50:00+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**The vast majority – 96% – of BAMER-led nonprofits surveyed on the fallout of the
cost-of-living crisis say it has impacted their ability to achieve their mission.**

Revealed in an impact report from [Money4YOU](https://www.money4you.org/) and The
Good Trouble, which calls for more support from funders, the findings show that 
almost 91% of BAMER-led organisations have had to reduce or cut their services and
programmes due to ongoing financial pressures and constraints.

A ‘temperature check’ survey went to members of Money4YOU’s BAMER HUB, to gain a
snapshot of the attitudes, opinions and experiences of BAMER-led non-profit organisations
during the cost-of-living crisis.

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Gathering insights from 54 self-identified BAMER-led nonprofits (incorporating Black,
Asian, multi-ethnic and refugee led organisations) over 72 hours, it also found 
that 83% have had to make staff redundancies or reduce hours over the past year 
due to financial pressures. Nearly all – 98% – have also had to seek additional 
funds, explore other revenue streams, or borrow money for organisational expenses
due to the crisis.

In the report, Money4YOU says that the survey had highlighted the_ “urgent need 
for increased support and investment in BAMER-led non-profits in the UK.”_

It makes a number of recommendations, including more partnerships, innovation and
collaboration among organisations. Money4You calls for investment and funding to
be accompanied by support for organisations to develop new revenue streams, explore
collaboration opportunities, and increase their capacity to respond to emerging 
needs.

It also recommends that funds should be allocated to support the specific needs 
of BAMER-led organisations as a priority, on an unrestricted basis, and that any
funding or support provided to BAMER-led organisations should be flexible and come
with a commitment to addressing the systemic inequalities that underlie the crisis.

 The report concludes:

_“The data shows that financial pressures and constraints, coupled with the cost-
of-living crisis, have resulted in the reduction or cutting of services and programs
that are crucial to the well-being of many communities. Therefore, we must shift
the paradigm in how financiers and policymakers approach funding toward care-full,
flexible, and participatory models that prioritise the interests of organisations
which are most deeply affected and impacted by historic, and continued, marginalisation.
By investing in our vital BAMER-led non-profits and organisations, we can work towards
creating equitable and sustainable futures for all.”_

Commenting on the findings, Money4YOU CEO and founder Carol Akiwumi said:

> “The latest research from Money4YOU reflects what many of us in the BAMER-led 
> voluntary sector have said for many years. Until funders embrace unrestricted,
> long-term support for historically underfunded organisations, we will continue
> to suffer disproportionately in times of crisis, and the heaviest blows will continue
> to fall on already marginalised communities—as they have in the present cost-of-
> living crisis. BAMER-led non-profits are now faced with an even more uncertain
> future, compounded by underinvestment, ongoing structural inequalities, and a 
> lack of access to emergency funding.
>  
> “The response we have seen from funders to the cost-of-living crisis simply doesn’t
> reflect its catastrophic impact on BAMER-led nonprofits and marginalised communities.
> We hope this research will serve as a wake-up call and we call upon those who 
> have the power to make a difference not to hesitate. Choose to act now.”