ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Federal funding cuts continue to hit close to home. One South Georgia non-profit has recently learned that they will not be receiving a $400,000 grant they were previously awarded.

CEO and owner of Balancing the Equation, Tiffany Smith, said as she was preparing for this year’s summer camp, she received an email stating that the she would no longer be receiving the grant that she had been awarded months prior.

“I definitely did not think that this was going to happen at all. I’m still shocked today!” Smith said.

For eight years, Balancing the Equation has introduced students across the state to the world of STEM. Smith said this was her first year receiving this federal grant, but with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) terminating their cooperative agreement with the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC), this will be her last.

Smith said that the money she would have received with the grant was going to be spent on much-needed supplies. The supplies were not just for the STEM summer camp coming up, but also for the the after school, Saturday sessions and tutorials she offers the community for little-to-no cost.

The money would have gone toward some things like:

• Tuition for all campers
• Pay for staff
• Transportation
• 32 MacBooks
• Four 3D printers

This funding cut is part of a massive effort made by the federal government to cut back on spending, which impacts departments like the USDA.

Smith said even after losing the grant, the camp will continue this summer, and her goal remains the same.

“My goal is to make learning fun again, to show them how their school day academics connect to the real world, and give them an experience that will make them want to come back every year,” Smith said.

The 9-week-long summer camp is intended for students grades third through eighth. It will last from May 27 through July 25. If you are interested in signing up or learning more, call 678-444-6327.

If you would like to donate in an effort to keep Balancing the Equation’s programs free, you may visit the link here.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.