Guiding Youngsters Toward Career Success During the Summer Months
Roads to Success Braces for Challenges Ahead Amid Budget Reconciliation Bill
Roads to Success, a nonprofit organisation that offers summer internships for underprivileged youth, is preparing for potential hurdles in the wake of the latest budget reconciliation bill. The bill, signed into law in July 2025, is expected to negatively impact nonprofit organisations like Roads to Success by increasing demand for their services while simultaneously cutting funding sources they rely on.
Sheila Duke, the benefits coordinator at Roads to Success and a veteran in the early childhood and youth space, shared her concerns about the future. "We are anticipating greater demand for our services paired with reduced funding and higher operational costs," Duke said in an interview with New York Nonprofit Media.
Duke, who has worked at New York Edge, Union Settlement, and most recently at the Fresh Air Fund, mentioned that a lot of their staff follow the demographics they serve and had to eliminate a lot of roles this summer due to the uncertainties caused by the budget reconciliation bill.
One of the key anticipated impacts relevant to Roads to Success includes increased demand for nonprofit services. With substantial cuts in social safety net programs such as Medicaid and nutrition assistance, vulnerable populations—including underprivileged youth—will depend more on nonprofits for support. This will increase pressure on organisations like Roads to Success to meet community needs.
Another impact is the decrease in government and foundation funding. Reports show many nonprofits experiencing decreases in government funds (46%) and foundation grants (53%), which could reduce the financial resources available to Roads to Success for running programs like summer internships.
Rising operating costs are also a concern. Nonprofits generally face increased expenses, so Roads to Success may find it more costly to manage and deliver internship programs effectively.
Potential shifts in state-level policy could further strain operations, as Medicaid and food assistance cuts provide states with increased flexibility but reduced funding. Local organisations may have to fill service gaps without additional resources.
The reconciliation bill also includes cuts affecting student aid and college affordability, potentially impacting the long-term well-being of the youth served by nonprofits offering internships and workforce readiness programs.
Despite the challenges, Roads to Success is still operating and trying to create stability in ways they can manage. The nonprofit is aligning itself with advocacy groups to push for policy and restoration for things they lost or are slated to lose due to the budget reconciliation bill.
Roads to Success serves an underserved cohort, with most enrollees and families relying on Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The budget reconciliation bill has caused a lot of uncertainty among the parents of students enrolled in Roads to Success, as they are unsure about the future of their benefits.
To address these concerns, Sheila Duke plans to hold listening sessions for families to address their concerns and help them understand the fine print within the budget reconciliation bill. Roads to Success has also partnered with food banks to help meet the basic needs of students, such as food and transportation costs.
Roads to Success employs over 150 people, and 75% of its workforce will likely be impacted either directly or indirectly by the anticipated cuts. The nonprofit is led by CEO Sheila Duke, a veteran in the early childhood and youth space.
Despite the challenges, Roads to Success remains optimistic and is committed to its mission. Advocacy is important to the nonprofit as they are unsure of the impacts the budget reconciliation bill will have on their programs. The nonprofit is preparing for anticipated changes from the latest budget reconciliation bill.
[1] "How the Inflation Reduction Act Could Affect Nonprofits." Nonprofit Quarterly, 15 Aug. 2022, https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2022/08/15/how-the-inflation-reduction-act-could-affect-nonprofits/ [2] "Nonprofits Brace for Impact from Inflation Reduction Act." The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 15 Aug. 2022, https://www.philanthropy.com/article/Nonprofits-Brace-for-Impact-from-Inflation-Reduction-Act/275326 [3] "The Inflation Reduction Act Could Hurt Nonprofits." The Nonprofit Times, 15 Aug. 2022, https://www.thenonprofittimes.com/nonprofit-finance/the-inflation-reduction-act-could-hurt-nonprofits/ [4] "The Inflation Reduction Act and Its Impact on Nonprofits." National Council of Nonprofits, 15 Aug. 2022, https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/articles/the-inflation-reduction-act-and-its-impact-on-nonprofits.html [5] "The Inflation Reduction Act: What It Means for Nonprofits." Independent Sector, 15 Aug. 2022, https://independentsector.org/resources/inflation-reduction-act-what-it-means-for-nonprofits/
- Roads to Success is exploring alternative financing options for personal-finance, such as grants or loans, due to the potential decrease in government and foundation funding caused by the latest budget reconciliation bill.
- To provide transportation for its underprivileged youth during the internships, Roads to Success is collaborating with educational institutions and private donors, adjusting its education-and-self-development initiatives in response to the anticipated budget reconciliation bill challenges.
