Back to top

2025 Policy & Advocacy Resources

The new year has signaled a profound shift in tone around how government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector intersect and interrelate. In just his first few days in office, President Trump signed a number of executive orders that if enacted would serverly hamper the ability of nonprofits and philanthropy to carry out their charitable missions and could result in devastating consequences for people and communities in our region and across the country.

As we navigate these fluid dynamics, Philanthropy Network - like many of our colleague organziations in the sector - is commited to keeping our members and partners connected and informed so we can move forward together with shared purpose. This page is dedicated to posting events, news, resources and guidance relevant to the evolving policy environment, and will be updated on a regular basis. If you would like to suggest a resource or leanring opportunity to be added to this page, please reach out to Amy Seasholtz.

Jump to
EVENTS |MEMBER STATEMENTS & ACTIONS | RESOURCES & GUIDANCE |
LEADING ORGANIZATIONS | NEWS & OPINION


Events

17 Mar, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (in-person)
Population Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania, 3718 Locust Walk, 403 McNeil (4th Floor), Philadelphia, PA 19104
Immigrant Philadelphia: A Portrait of a Re-emerging Gateway City
Co-sponsored by Population Studies Center, Penn Arts & Sciences, Public Policy Lab at Temple University

17 Mar, 3:00 PM (webinar) Register to ATTEND LIVE | Register to receive the RECORDING ONLY
The Legal Landscape and Path Ahead for Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Hosted by the National Council of Nonprofits 

18 Mar, 2:00 - 2:30 PM (webinar - registration limited to Philanthropy Network members)
How to Structure a Loan to Your Grantees
Hosted by Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia

25 Mar, 2:30-5:00 PM (via Zoom or in-person at Dechert LLP, Cira Centre, 2929 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19104)
Meeting the Moment: Impacts of the Federal Funding Freeze
Hosted by the Philadelphia Bar Foundation

26 Mar, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (free webinar)
Demystifying Federal Funding: Nonprofit Questions Answered
Hosted by Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC)

27 Mar, 1:00 PM ET (webinar - funders only)
Policy 101- How Funders Can Engage in and Support Advocacy - A training with Alliance for Justice
Hosted by Funders Together to End Homelessness

Philanthropy Network Member Statements & Actions


Resources & Guidance

The Impacts of the Recent Executive Orders on Nonprofits

Executive Orders

The Impacts of the Recent Executive Orders on Nonprofits (webpage)
National Council of Nonprofits

Federal Funding Cuts

Supporting Our Communities: Key Strategies for Navigating Federal Funding Threats
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO)

Data Tools from Urban Institute:

DEI

In Response to ACLU Lawsuit, National Endowment for the Arts Removes Certification Requirement on Funding Applications
Press release via the ACLU (03.07.25)

Littler’s Inclusion, Equity and Diversity C-Suite Survey Report 2025
By Jeanine Conley Daves and Kate Mrkonich Wilson (02.26.25)

The Legal Landscape Around DEI Is Shifting. Your Messaging Should, Too.
Kenji Yoshino, David Glasgow and Christina Joseph, Harvard Business Review (02.11.25)

Immigration

Fighting for our Future: Immigrant Rights and our Multiracial Democracy & Recommendations for Philanthropy in 2025
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR)

Charitable Giving Act

Charitable Giving Act Fact Sheet (PDF)
Foundations on the Hill 2025 (Feb 2025)

The 2025 Tax Debate: Charitable Giving
Bipartisan Policy Center (02.21.25)

Charitable Giving Coalition

Advocacy (general)

Bolder Advocacy Resource Library
Alliance for Justice

Advocacy Field Guide for Lean Funders ($$)
Exponent Philanthropy

Sign-On Letter for Nonprofit Organizations: Message to the 119th Congress
National Council of Nonprofits

Misc.

Research Snapshot - Challenging Times: How U.S. Nonprofit Leaders Are Experiencing the Political Context
Center for Effective Philanthropy (0.05.25)

What Is the Financial Risk of Nonprofits Losing Government Grants?
Urban Institute (02.21.25)

Immediate actions we can all take right now
Aisha Benson, Nonprofit Finance Fund (02.03.25)

What to expect from the new Trump administration [webinar recording]
Brooking Institution (01.29.25)

How Fiscal Sponsors Can Help Our Sector Weather the Storm
Thaddeus Squire, Social Impact Commons (02.05.25)

The Authoritarian Threat: Preparing for the Repression of U.S. Philanthropy & Civil Society
Democracy Funders Network

The Case for Partnership-Building a Healthy Charitable Sector to Ensure a Thriving Nation
Recommendations sent to the Trump Administration by Independent Sector (Nov 2024)


Organizations leading national advocacy efforts in support of nonprofits and philanthropy


News/Opinion

Federal Funding Uncertainty: What It Means for Foundations and Their Grantees
By Hatsy Cutshall and Derick Dreher, YPTC for Exponent Philanthropy (03.12.25)

Chaos, Cruelty, and Coercion: How Philanthropy Can Respond
By Kevin Bolduc for the Center for Effective Philanthropy (03.06.25)

Trump Moves Cause Widespread Fear Among Nonprofits, Survey Finds
By Isaiah Thompson for Nonprofit Quarterly (02.21.25)

How Funders Can Respond to an Unprecedented Threat to Nonprofits
By Phil Buchanan, the Center for Effective Philanthropy (02.10.25)

Philanthropy’s Responsibility Persists: Staying the Course Amid Change
By Paul Daugherty, Exponent Philanthropy (02.07.25)

OPINION: Civil Society Isn’t Prepared for Trump’s Attacks. Here Are Steps to Take Now
By Yelena V Litvinov and Tatyana Margolin for the Chronicle of Philanthropy (01.28.25)

Trump DEI Investigations Could Target Large Foundations
By Alex Daniels for the Chronicle of Philanthropy (01.27.25) 

As Trump Attacks Immigrants, Here’s What Grantmakers Can Do
By Martha Ramirez for Inside Philanthropy (01.23.25)

OPINION: As Trump Takes Office, Philanthropy Should Adopt a Pandemic-Like Crisis Response
By Lisa Pilar Cowen for the Chronicle of Philanthropy (01.28.25)

Calling All Donors (and Would-Be Donors): The Vital U.S. Nonprofit Sector is Under Threat and Must Be Protected
By Phil Buchanan for the CEP blog (01.14.25)