Government Affairs Digest: What Nonprofits Need to Know (Part 5)
February 26, 2025 - This content will be updated as developments unfold.
Latest Developments:
February 19: Executive Order “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” was filed. This EO directs federal departments and agencies to identify federally funded programs that “illegal aliens” can access, including cash and non-cash public benefits, and ensure payments to states and localities do not subsidize or promote “illegal immigration” or “abet so-called ‘sanctuary’ policies.”
Read: Executive Order on “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” - Economic Policy Institute
Read: Somerville Sues The President Over Immigration Laws - Somerville, MA PATCH
February 21: “On Friday, February 21, 2025, a federal district court in Maryland issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of several key provisions of the January 2025 executive orders targeting DEI programs. The nationwide injunction blocks the federal government from requiring federal contractors and grantees to certify they do not operate DEI programs that violate federal anti-discrimination laws, and from bringing enforcement actions, including False Claims Act claims, premised on these certifications. The order allows other enforcement provisions, such as the Attorney General’s preparation of a report identifying potential civil compliance investigations of major organizations, to continue.” - Seyfarth Shaw
Read: Federal Court Issues Nationwide Preliminary Injunction Blocking Enforcement of Key Provisions of DEI Executive Orders - Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Read: Nonprofits Sue Over Trump’s “Anti-Equity” Orders - Non Profit News
February 25: On Thursday, February 25, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a preliminary injunction of the OMB’s freeze on federal grant disbursements that has put essential services across the nation in jeopardy, in response to a suit filed by Democracy Forward on behalf of the National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, Main Street Alliance, and SAGE.
What does this mean?
“The preliminary injunction is a tremendous relief for thousands of nonprofit organizations throughout the country that are struggling to continue their vital work in the midst of the chaos and confusion caused by the administration’s attempted federal funding freezes. These organizations have been left to wonder whether they’ll be reimbursed for their vital work, or if they’ll need to shut down essential programs. OMB’s reckless federal funding freeze would cause catastrophic and irreversible harm to nonprofits and the communities and people they serve. This preliminary injunction allows such nonprofits to continue with their important work of providing wildfire mitigation, disaster relief, services to survivors of domestic violence, support for our nation’s veterans, and so much more.” said Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits.
Read: Judge Issues National Injunction to Block Trump Administration’s Devastating Attempt to Halt Funding For Essential Services - National Council of Nonprofits
Read: Federal judge blocks Trump funding freeze, saying it produced a ‘nationwide crisis’ - Georgia Recorder
Actions to Take:
Nonprofit Finance Fund’s 2025 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey is now live! Add your voice today.
There has never been a more critical time to share what’s going on for nonprofits and how we all can support the organizations that play an essential role in our communities. Make your voice heard through Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF)’s 2025 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey. Conducted in partnership with EVITARUS, NFF’s survey will gather data about timely social sector issues such as federal funding, real estate ownership, workforce and staffing, the implications of political events, racial equity in nonprofit finance, and other topics relevant to creating community wealth and well-being. This year, a collective of local funders is supporting NFF to do a special analysis of the Georgia nonprofit sector, and your response is needed to tell that story. **Nonprofits located in ALL states are encouraged to participate, but we wanted to point out that GA-based funders are taking a particularly close look this year.
We are proud to help NFF raise our sector’s voices. Survey findings will be shared publicly in late 2025. Results are widely used by nonprofit leaders and boards, funders, advocates, policy advisors, media, and researchers. NFF and its local partners will amplify your aggregated, anonymized voices to those who fund and support your invaluable work, advocating for what you need to serve now and well into the future.
Please take the survey today and join this collective effort. It will take only about 25-35 minutes and will be a valuable contribution to data for our sector.
From Purpose Possible
Purpose Possible will begin offering a 2-hour Scenario Planning Facilitated Session to clients who are determining if specific adjustments may be needed to their operational, programmatic, or communications strategy that may be affected by the current administration. An expert nonprofit consultant will lead you through an intentional examination of your current status and set relevant next steps.
Outcomes/Deliverables
Clients will have a better understanding of threats or opportunities they may face now or in the near future.
Clients will examine the financial implications of any potential shifts.
Clients will have a plan for next actionable steps.
If you are an existing client, please reach out to Kari Hudson or Starsha Valentine if you would like to learn more. If you are not a current Purpose Possible client, please submit an inquiry via our website.
Resources:
Nonprofit Legal Compliance in an Unfriendly Political Environment - Non Profit News
March 3, 3:30–5:00 PM ET via Zoom; Free of Charge Registration Required
