Despite looming loss of federal funding, VPC remains ‘hopeful’
The Violence Prevention Center (VPC) will lose all federal funding by the end of 2027, revenue that currently makes up a significant portion of the organization’s budget. The change has pushed the nonprofit to pursue new funding sources as it looks to expand its staff.
The VPC currently employs three people: an executive director, a program advocate and an office and development coordinator. The organization is hiring for a part-time advocate.
“We are looking to hire a fourth staff person in the next year, which could increase the services we provide to clients and allow us more time to really dig into the prevention part of our services,” VPC Office and Development Coordinator Ashley Konop told WTIP, “We believe that knowledge and outreach can be a huge preventative when it comes to domestic and sexual abuse, and so adding a fourth person will just be able to expand on that.”
Funding for a new position will come from a renewed focus on grants and fundraising. Konop said changes in federal administrative priorities means the VPC no longer feels it can depend on federal dollars.
“Our hope is to be completely free of federal funding, because we just can’t rely on it,” Konop said. “We can’t put our clients in the position of having to rely on the government for their needs.”
The fundraising effort comes as the VPC prepares to celebrate 40 years of service in Cook County. The event will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at the Grand Marais Art Colony Founders Hall. Individual tickets are available, and the VPC is also seeking event sponsors.
The VPC has recently emphasized the economic toll of domestic and sexual abuse. Advocates say abuse increases healthcare costs, strains government and social service agencies, affects the future workforce and raises public spending. Executive Director Sara Mowchan and Program Advocate Jessica Burks spoke with WTIP about the data in August.
“The community at large has definitely answered the call,” Konop said. “We’ve seen a lot of previous donors that had maybe lapsed in their giving reach out to us and say, ‘Hey, I saw this is going on. How can we support you?’ And we’ve just been very direct in our asking.”
The end of federal funding represents a loss of about $100,000 per year. Konop said the VPC hopes to make up much of that through small monthly donations. For example, a $5 monthly gift can help the organization provide snacks for children of clients visiting the center.
Konop estimated the VPC has served about 280 clients in Cook County this year. Services include safety planning, assistance with leaving abusive relationships, emergency lodging and legal advocacy. She said the VPC has also distributed more than $5,000 in grocery and gas cards in 2025.
“2026 looks hopeful,” Konop said. “We are super hopeful to be completely free of federal funding with the help of our Cook County community. We are hopeful to hire another staff member so we can provide more services and engage more with the community. We are hopeful to provide more preventative education so that domestic and sexual violence decreases, and we are hopeful for a safer Cook County.”
WTIP’s Josh Hinke spoke with Konop about the funding shift and the year ahead for the VPC. Audio of that conversation is available below.
Josh Hinke December 11, 2025
