It may not be the tidy finale of a Hollywood holiday movie, but the Sims Foundation is rewriting its story. A critical cash infusion from two Austin groups will allow the nonprofit to continue to serve its most vulnerable clients as it grapples with a long-term plan.
On October 22, Board Chair Marissa Rivera announced that Sims would pause services for 90 days to restructure its service model. Although the foundation has traditionally kept operational costs lean, public funding shortages, a changing healthcare landscape, and the lingering aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic left the 30-year-old nonprofit shaky.
"The reality is simple," Rivera wrote in an open letter, "We need more funding to continue to operate at our current service levels, and we need to restructure our service model to ensure that we are maximizing all of the resources and efficiencies that are now available."
Although fundraising remains urgent, new funds from C3 Presents and charitable lifestyle brand Armadillo World Headquarters (AWHQ) will allow SIMS to resume select mental health and addiction recovery services for Austin's musical community.
"Helping SIMS Foundation to continue to be able to serve our community was a no-brainer," said AWHQ spokesperson Nick Shuley via a release. "We deeply value the role SIMS plays in sustaining the health and vibrancy of our city's musicians and artists, and we hope other organizations are inspired to do the same."
Public support will remain a key part of the equation as SIMS navigates the future. The C3 and AWHQ monies helped the nonprofit reach 30 percent of its Restore the Rhythm campaign goals, but support from local individuals and businesses is needed to tighten the gap. Donations can be made online.
The need for care among Austin's musicians, industry pros, and dependents remains sharply felt. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five Americans experiences a mental health condition each year. As Austinites wrestle with a high cost of living, The SIMS Foundations remains committed to removing barriers to wellness.
