Nelson Women's Refuge is considering closing its doors in the face of a deep financial hole.

After missing out on a funding grant last year, the refuge can no longer pay for all its services until another funding drop in July. They're now appealing for public donations so they can stay open.

Manager Katie O'Donnell says it's becoming a struggle to keep the lights on at the refuge's safe house.

"If we don't get substantial donations in the next few weeks, we will be cutting our services and potentially closing our doors. Somebody would need to pick up these women and children."

"It's about paying our basic needs going forward...our rent, our overheads, and our wages."

O'Donnell is working on making the refuge more sustainable so they don't run into trouble again.