SANTA CRUZ — At a time that has seen local museums and food banks lose their federal funding, Senderos — a Santa Cruz-based after-school program that teaches music and dancing, and creates pathways for Latino youth — became the latest nonprofit to learn that its federal funding would be withdrawn.
On Friday, shortly after President Donald Trump proposed eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts, Senderos staff learned via email from the agency that a $10,000 Challenge America grant that was approved in January would be canceled following the new administration’s change. The money had been set aside for the 20th anniversary of the Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza festival, a promotion of Indigenous culture and arts in Oaxaca, which was observed with a parade and festival in Santa Cruz in April.
The email informed Senderos that the National Endowment for the Arts would focus on funding projects that “reflect the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President.”
“The NEA will now prioritize projects that elevate the Nation’s HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions, celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, foster AI competency, empower houses of worship to serve communities, assist with disaster recovery, foster skilled trade jobs, make America healthy again, support the military and veterans, support Tribal communities, make the District of Columbia safe and beautiful, and support the economic development of Asian American communities,” the agency wrote. “Funding is being allocated in a new direction in furtherance of the Administration’s agenda.”
Isai Pazos, Senderos’ executive director, said the loss of funding was not a surprise, given what other nonprofit organizations have experienced, but it was still disappointing.
“After being approved and granted an amount and then getting a letter that says we will no longer be reaching the amount that we were granted initially, it’s a little upsetting,” he said.
Pazos said things first became amiss when Senderos stopped receiving emails after the initial message Jan. 14, six days before Trump’s inauguration. He said staff were just waiting on additional paperwork.
This would have been the third year in a row Senderos received a Challenge America grant, which has historically helped fund the nonprofit’s dance and music programs that are offered to youth free of charge. Pazos said Senderos will continue to offer these programs but will rely more on other sources of funding, such as local and state grants, donations and fundraisers.
Despite the termination of funds, Pazos said the organization is trying to remain positive.
“We can look at other resources and maybe still continue with our programs because that’s what we are,” he said. “We are an organization that wants to strive and wants to promote not only the culture and traditions but also to have an activity where students can learn about their culture, their traditions and be busy. Instead of doing something negative out in the world, we want them to be positive, active with an activity and those activities are music and dance with our organization.”
Pazos said people can donate at Senderos’ website at SCSenderos.org/donate. He also encourages people to donate to other nonprofits that need support.
“It is beautiful when we see the community help each other, and I think this is the moment where a lot of our nonprofits need help from the community,” he said.
