Compassion’s Foundation Faces Closure After Losing Federal Funding: Here’s What It Will Take to Save Our Shelter

A bedroom inside Compassion's Foundation's shelter. Without new funding, rooms like this may no longer be available for survivors seeking safety.

Compassion’s Foundation, Inc.—one of the only dual domestic violence and sexual assault shelter serving Columbia, Lafayette, and Nevada counties—is at risk of closing its doors after failing to receive federal funding for 2025. The loss has left a significant gap in the shelter’s operating budget, threatening the future of essential services for survivors across South Arkansas.

“Our population in Columbia County is approximately 22,801 according to the 2020 Census,” said Executive Director Lacey Ogle. “If every person gave just five dollars, that would total $114,005. If every person gave five dollars each month for a year, it would reach $1,368,060. Meanwhile, our annual operating budget is $219,578.08. Even with grants, we still have to raise at least $127,318.74 through our Save Our Shelter campaign to remain open for one year.”

Compassion’s Foundation provides emergency shelter, crisis response, advocacy, safety planning, and support services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking. Without the funds to sustain operations, residents of South Arkansas could be left without a safe place to go during their most critical moments.

The shelter’s current fundraising efforts include the Crowell Lights Donation Match, the Beef Raffle, and the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball. Each initiative contributes directly to the Save Our Shelter campaign.

In an effort to accelerate community giving, local partners have stepped forward to match donations up to $15,000. TETRA Technologies, the Crowell family, and anonymous donors have collectively pledged the matching funds, doubling the impact of every contribution made during the campaign.

“This shelter belongs to the community,” Ogle said. “We are fighting every day to ensure survivors still have a place to turn. We simply cannot do it alone.”

Residents who wish to help support the shelter can contribute through the Crowell Lights donation link, purchase Beef Raffle tickets, or buy tickets to the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball.

Crowell Lights donation link: https://www.compassionsfoundation.com/crowell-lights-donation

Purchase Beef Raffle tickets: https://www.compassionsfoundation.com/beef-raffle

Buy tickets to the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball: https://www.compassionsfoundation.com/events-1/new-years-eve-masquerade-ball