We witness on an almost daily basis President Donald Trump and his administration making cuts at the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Agency for International Development and many more.
Trump stated, “We’re at the beginning of a great, beautiful golden age of business.” But the ax has fallen against SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. The elimination of SCORE’s federal funding in the fiscal year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request jeopardizes the future of the 300,000 small business entrepreneurs SCORE serves each year.
SCORE’s $17 million in funding has been eliminated. Does this administration want to bolster the economy, increase jobs and promote U.S. business?
SCORE returns $45.42 in new federal tax revenue for every dollar invested. Eliminate that?
In 60 years, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs. Explain defunding this volunteer-driven organization.
Volunteers will keep working with clients and local SCORE chapters will raise funds, but their job has become more difficult.
This is not an official SCORE statement. I’m just one of those volunteers. There is no logical explanation for this decision and the potential negative impact on those taking the risk of starting businesses.
Rob Spence, Bonney Lake
