LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – As 2025 comes to an end, local nonprofits are asking for one more gift this year: donations that these organizations depend on to offer programs, experiences and resources to better the community.
Due to inflation and financial uncertainty, nonprofits like Life Adventure Center are closing out the year with less in the bank.
“This has been a very challenging funding year for our nonprofit and all of our friends working in the nonprofit sector,” said Julie Breitigan, Executive Director of Life Adventure Center.
Adventure programs serve trauma-affected population
Life Adventure Center uses outdoor adventure to transform lives. The organization serves 26 counties in the surrounding area and offers camps and retreats for the trauma-affected population.
Every year, Breitigan said 3,000 people participate in their programs. Many participants have been impacted by parental incarceration.
“Whether it’s climbing a rock wall and ziplining, doing the equine assisted learning program, it’s a really empowering, resilience-building experience for them that they would not normally have access to,” Breitigan said.
Funding challenges limit program expansion
All programming costs money. Breitigan said the organization needs $1.7 million per year to operate.
“We need to invest in really talented staff. Our participants deserve the very best support and facilities,” she said.
Breitigan said participants have asked for more programming, which they would like to say yes to, but they have been declined grants at a rate higher than in years past and donations are sluggish.
“Last year this time we were really blessed with some really generous donations at the end of the year, so that’s our hope this year,” she said.
Breitigan encourages people to choose the gift of donation to round out the year. Whether it comes from a company or an individual, she said it’s mutually beneficial.
“Take advantage of tax write offs. Nonprofits do just so much for our community. There’s so much good that nonprofits provide,” she said.
“There’s not a better time for people to support the nonprofits that they believe in,” Breitigan said.
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