Local nonprofit flags funding strain

The Dressing Room, a free clothing nonprofit in Ashland, Kentucky, says weaker donations and higher costs have left it short of money. (dailyindependent.com) The Daily Independent reported on April 12 that the group is asking the public for financial help as economic conditions and slower charitable giving squeeze its budget. The organization is operated by Federated Charities. (dailyindependent.com, thedressingroom-ashland.org) Federated Charities has also launched a GoFundMe campaign that says The Dressing Room could close if it cannot raise enough support to keep operating. The fundraiser says the group serves families needing school clothes and winter coats, people preparing for job interviews, and residents starting over after a move. (gofundme.com, dailyindependent.com) The strain lands as Kentucky nonprofits report broader funding pressure. A Kentucky Nonprofit Network report published in March 2026 said charitable nonprofits in the state rely on a mix of revenue, while donations remain a critical piece for many community groups. (kynonprofits.org) A separate Kentucky Nonprofit Network impact report published in April 2025 said federal funding cuts and uncertainty were already putting services at risk across the state. WCPO reported in 2025 that some Kentucky nonprofits were facing layoffs and cuts to food and mental health programs. (kynonprofits.org, wcpo.com) The Dressing Room has been part of Ashland’s safety net for decades. Its website says Federated Charities was founded in 1920, and the clothing program now also runs back-to-school underwear distribution, winter blanket aid, and Prom-N-Aide for high school students. (thedressingroom-ashland.org, thedressingroom-ashland.org) Another local listing says The Dressing Room provides about 25,000 services a year and describes it as the area’s largest clothing closet. A Findhelp listing says its free clothing program serves parts of northeastern Kentucky, southern Ohio, and western West Virginia. (theneighborhood-ashland.org, findhelp.org) National surveys show the pressure is not limited to one city. The Center for Effective Philanthropy said in its 2025 State of Nonprofits report that leaders were still dealing with financial instability and staffing strain, while RSM said in July 2025 that donor uncertainty was one of the sector’s main risks. (cep.org, rsmus.com) For now, The Dressing Room is still operating and publicly asking neighbors to help cover the gap. Its appeal turns a local budget problem into a test of whether a long-running clothing bank can keep serving Ashland-area families at its current scale. (dailyindependent.com, gofundme.com)