By Julia Train
On March 18, Richard Helfant, Lucy the Elephant’s executive director and CEO, received an email from Senator Cory Booker’s office that left him stunned.
The message informed Helfant that a $500,000 federal grant — originally presented to the Save Lucy Committee by Senator Booker in August 2024 — had been slashed due to budget cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“My initial response was shock, because you have a promise, technically, you have a contract with the government of the United States of America that they defaulted on,” said Helfant. “So it’s kind of shocking when you can’t count on the United States government.”
The money, coming from the senator’s federal discretionary fund, was earmarked specifically for a $750,000 renovation to the interior of Lucy, which now can’t be completed until the money is raised.
“We have to find other means, because the work can’t wait,” he said.
Helfant said Lucy’s interior renovations need to align with the construction of the new gift shop, scheduled for September, because key systems — like heating and air conditioning — are located on the roof of the new shop. Since the two projects are closely connected, Helfant said he has no choice but to move forward aggressively and explore alternative ways to recover the funding.
The planned renovations include repairing water-damaged plaster walls, stripping and refinishing yellow pine floors and steps, replacing the outdated 50-year-old HVAC system and upgrading fire safety infrastructure.
Helfant explained that the senator’s office advised them to reapply for funding next year, but the director has two major concerns — uncertainty of available funding and the number of applicants is expected to double, as those who were recently cut will likely reapply along with a wave of new applicants, making the competition even more intense.
This isn’t Lucy’s first funding disappointment. In 2023, the Save Lucy Committee applied for a federal grant to build a new visitor center but was rejected and advised to reapply. The 2024 award, which focused on interior restoration, had finally seemed like a breakthrough — until it was unexpectedly revoked.
In response, Helfant has met with grant writers, board members, staff and the mayor. While no firm strategy is in place, ideas on the table include a summer benefit concert and an expanded birthday celebration for Lucy to help raise funds.
“Lucy the Elephant is a one-of-a-kind cultural and historical site. Lucy is beloved not just in our state, but throughout the entire region, yet Congressional Republicans, including New Jersey’s own, drafted and passed a budget that cut funding for this New Jersey treasure. Nevertheless, I will continue looking for ways to ensure that Lucy the Elephant and its staff have the resources they need to nurture and care for this special landmark,” said Senator Cory Booker in a statement to Shore Local.
The Department of Government Efficiency, a relatively new agency, has come under scrutiny for its sweeping cuts across multiple sectors. According to the BBC, billionaire Elon Musk is a driving force behind DOGE’s mission, reportedly aimed at eliminating government “waste” and reducing the national debt, which currently stands at $36 trillion.
