Queens Community House Adapts To Budget Cuts

When the going gets tough in the nonprofit world, the tough nonprofits get resourceful.

In 2009,  fell roughly $600,000 in the hole amid a sluggish economy, a general downturn in philanthropy and financial crises at the city and state levels. Then in 2010, the Forest Hills-based agency lost about $1 million from its roughly $13 million annual budget as city and state governments slashed even more funding.

But QCH found ways to provide social services without overspending, and is set to end the year almost entirely debt free. The 35-year-old entity is also poised to plow through a stormy 2011 financial forecast and run programs without running a deficit.

Dedicated employees, active board members and private funders are the keys to dealing with adversity, said QCH Executive Director Irma Rodriguez. Although in 2010 she had to freeze some services, shrink an adult literacy program and shutter an in-the-red early childhood center.

Staffers accepted no cost-of-living increases and started paying a portion of their health care benefits for the first time. Seasonal parties were eliminated or subsidized by board members, and small purchases became no purchases.

"We're being as frugal as possible, cutting back on anything that might remotely be considered extra," said Rodriguez, the executive director for about two years.

QCH also greatened the grant writing, increasing foundation funding by about $400,000 to $1.4 million. Board members sweetened the pot by upping their antes or getting friends involved, and a regular anonymous donor gave an irregularly large donation. One former board member invited friends to meet QCH program directors at his Forest Hills Gardens house. The wine-and-cheese party led to more money for agency coffers and great connections. 

Headquartered on 62nd Drive, QCH has over 400 employees and serves roughly 30,000 people a year at 20 sites spread out across 11 Queens neighborhoods including Jamaica and Astoria. Programs focus on children, community and seniors and run the gamut from afterschool enrichment to eviction prevention to care for the homebound.

Rodriguez praised her workers, citing their level of dedication. "They really care about folks, and we have very little turnover," she said. "I guess they like their jobs, because they sure don't get paid much. ... My staff hasn't had a raise in two years."

The upcoming year will feature more of the same activities, Rodriguez predicted, and more of the same budget woes. "There's a sense of our sector as being fluff," she said. "We have a mayor who won't raise taxes on rich people. He's just going to keep shutting us out."

Tops on the agenda are private fundraising, building relationships with businesses throughout the borough and advocating for more public dollars.

"The idea is not to depend on goverment funding so  much," Rodriguez said. "It's a funny dilemna because I believe government has a responsibility to pay for this."