Budget Cuts: Do the strong only survive?

One could assume that over the course of American History, American politics has never rested in a full equilibrium when it comes terms of agreement.  And I am not saying that the government should be a people pleaser.  I suppose after reading the week’s articles, the one that intrigued me was Innovating the White House especially when it pertains to the relationships.

Granted the article published in 2008, prior to the presidential election between Barack Obama and John McCain, but that doesn’t make this information irrelevant in the present day.  In fact, I believe the relationships urged in this article between the government and the non-profit sector might still be not as much of a priority on the WH’s wish list as American's would like it to be.  Yes, there is the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation [1].  That was a solid step taken but at the same time, why is no one directly seeing the impact this office and their partners are working on?  Where is the transparency?  Why isn’t the media covering these success stories that were born from social innovation enterprises and the influence of the White House?  What kind of culture is intended with these current partnerships?

I can say when it comes to non-profit funding on the state level, things never seem to work out in a nonprofit’s favor.  Yesterday, I came across an article in the Post-Gazette titled, Nonprofits say they may soon reach crisis point due to state budget impasse.  It’s sad to admit that this story doesn’t surprise me because state officials, hopefully unintentionally, make budget cuts that consequently steer away from local nonprofits’ priorities.  Whether it’s cutting administrative costs, staff hours, or taking out emergency loans, “nonprofits ‘are losing services that help meet their basic needs and security.’” [2] 

These cuts and dire needs of nonprofits seems very Darwinian.  Are budget cuts and prize award challenges designed or practiced so the strong come out surviving? How can the government bridge the relationship gaps between itself and nonprofits while also setting an example for leaders on the State level?  To whom can nonprofits go to to seek help or resources during these times?

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/sicp/initiatives/partnerships

[2] http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2015/10/05/Nonprofits-could-soon-reach-crisis-due-to-state-budget-impasse-pennsylvania-wolf/stories/201510050139