Waypoint fundraises amid increased demand, funding cuts

CEDAR RAPIDS — Facing surging demand and funding cuts simultaneously, Waypoint’s annual “I Believe in Waypoint” campaign is more critical than ever as the organization heads into the next fiscal year.

The Cedar Rapids nonprofit, which provides services for housing, poverty, victims of domestic violence, victims of violent crimes and child care, needs to raise $100,000 for its programs by June 30. So far, it has raised $50,000.

In the last fiscal year, Waypoint served over 13,000 clients — nearly double the number served the year before. In housing services alone, the nonprofit tripled its clients from about 3,000 to over 9,000.

“The good news is, yes, we’re serving more people, but we’re there to serve,” said Jaye Kennedy, chief executive officer of Waypoint. “I fully believe the numbers will continue to be higher than they’ve ever been.”

But with more people to serve, Waypoint is facing cuts from the grants it depends on each year. The I Believe Campaign remains one of Waypoint’s largest sources of fundraising each year and benefits all of the nonprofit’s programs.

“Demand for grant dollars has been higher and higher. Demand is so much higher now than what a lot of foundations or government entities have to give,” Kennedy said. “That means our piece of the pie is going to be smaller.”

In addition to acute housing need spikes, child care remains a significant challenge for the organization and its clients.

“We have a waitlist that’s just as big as the enrollment number,” Kennedy said.

With particular difficulty in hiring, she said the effects of not having child care has a crippling effect on working parents and, consequently, their ability to pay their bills.

Waypoint also has seen an increase in need for domestic violence services posed by isolation during the pandemic.

In the next year, Kennedy said an uncertain economy could make untenable positions for many worse.

“The economy is in a different place than it’s been. … If inflation picks up and we go into a recession, that could be difficult for the local economy as well as the national economy,” she said. “It will have effects with individuals we serve.”

As Waypoint adjusts its footing with funding, Kennedy asks the public to reconsider their charitable giving to ensure Waypoint can serve as many people as it needs.

Waypoint statistics show that 75% of those supported through shelter, rehousing and homelessness prevention programs exit Waypoint to permanent housing. Ninety-five percent of children who graduate from a KidsPoint Learning Center & Preschool are developmentally on track for kindergarten.

“Charitable giving is an investment in your community and taking care of your community,” Kennedy said.

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