Why Local Still Matters: Staying Grounded in Community During Uncertain Times

By Chief Community Strategy Officer, Natasha Goburdhun | CHMRC

In moments like these, when headlines shift by the hour, funding streams feel more fragile, we’re reminded of something simple but powerful: local still matters.

At CHMRC, we’ve always centered our work around people and place. While national strategies and federal investments shape the ecosystem we operate in, it’s the relationships on the ground, between neighbors, nonprofit leaders, health workers, and advocates, that drive real change. That truth is more important than ever as we navigate the uncertainties ahead.

We know many of our community-based partners are facing budget shortfalls, grant program delays, or administrative shifts that have left them wondering what comes next. There’s anxiety in the air—about how to sustain programs, retain staff, or plan long-term when short-term decisions are being made elsewhere.

But here’s what gives me hope: local communities continue to show up.

Local food banks are adapting to rising demand. Small grassroots orgs are piloting neighborhood outreach when larger systems stall. Volunteers are delivering care with creativity and commitment. This is where CHMRC steps in, not to duplicate efforts, but to convene, support, and amplify what’s already working.

"This is where CHMRC steps in, not to duplicate efforts, but to convene, support, and amplify what's already working."

Our role isn’t to prescribe solutions but to help organizations stay resilient and connected. That’s why we focus on being a convener, bringing together public health agencies, community leaders, and frontline providers to align strategies, share resources, and respond as one. Whether we’re hosting community roundtables, or supporting pop-up health hubs, we’re always thinking about how to help organizations thrive, especially in moments of strain.

That’s why we’re supporting local public health reporting and helping communities collect and use their own data, so what’s happening on the ground doesn’t get lost in the noise of national narratives. Local voices matter, and we’re committed to creating space where they can be heard, organized, and acted on.

The next few years will test all of us. But one thing is clear: staying close to our communities, and to one another, is the most effective strategy we have. At CHMRC, we’ll continue showing up with that mindset. We’ll keep convening. We’ll keep listening. And we’ll keep helping organizations stay strong at the local level, no matter what changes at the top.

Because local isn’t just where the work happens. It’s where the solutions begin. Nonprofit community leaders, change-makers, and organizers, we see you.

"Because local isn't just where the work happens. It's where the solutions begin."

If your organization is feeling the pressure of shifting priorities, you don’t have to navigate it alone. CHMRC is here to convene, support, and connect you with the tools, partners, and strategies that keep local efforts strong.

Let’s work together to strengthen what matters most: your community. Reach out to us here anytime. We’d love to meet you.

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