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2025 Policy & Advocacy Resources

This year has signaled a profound shift in tone around how government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector intersect and interrelate. Since taking office in January, 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.

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

Statements/Calls to Action

Meet the Moment: A Call to Action for Philanthropy in 2025 (and Beyond)

Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) and the National Center for Family Philanthropy (03.26.25)

A Public Statement From Philanthropy 

Council on Foundations
(Funders can sign on to the statement to show their support)

Joint Statement on Threats to Civil Society and the Independence of the Charitable Sector

United Philanthropy Forum, Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, and National Council of Nonprofits (04.17.25)


Events

24 Apr, 2:00 - 3:30 PM (webinar: $69 for live event and 12 months access)
The Backlash to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI): How Justice-Committed Organizations Can Respond Now
Hosted by NPQ

29 Apr, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM (Hybrid: Via Zoom or in-person at Ballard Spahr, 1735 Market St., 51st Floor, Philadelphia)
Meeting the Moment 2025: Focus on LGBTQ+ Rights
Hosted by the Philadelphia Bar Foundation

07 May, 2:00 PM ET (webinar - funders only)
Monthly* Policy Funder Call: Navigating Philanthropy’s Role in a Shifting Political Landscape
Hosted by Funders Together to End Homelessness and Fund for Housing and Opportunity
*Registration also open for the call on June 4

Philanthropy Network Member Messages & Actions


Resources & Guidance

The Impacts of the Recent Executive Orders on Nonprofits

Executive Orders

From the National Council of Nonprofits

Tracking the Policy Landscape for the Charitable Sector
Includes: Executive Action Tracker; Litigation Tracker; and Tax and Federal Legislation Tracker - updated biweekly
Independent Sector

Federal Funding Cuts

A Nonprofit Checklist: What to do when your federal grant or contract is terminated
National Council of Nonprofits

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

Federal Funding Resources (webpage)
Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC)

Data Tools from Urban Institute:

DEI

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Messaging Guide
Hart Research, Bellwether Research and Consulting and Raben

EEOC Issues Guidance on Unlawful Workplace DEI Programs: Top Takeaways for Employers
Fisher Phillips (03.21.25)

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)

Democracy 

Protecting Civic Space: a Primer
Protect Democracy

Organizations:

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

Analysis: The Charitable Act Would Boost Donations by $40 Billion a Year
Charitable Giving Coalition

Foundations on the Hill 2025 Recap Page
United Philanthropy Forum

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

Actions Steps for Nonprofits

12 Urgent Financial Action Steps for Nonprofits: A 2025 Checklist
Steve Zimmerman and Ruth McCambridge, Nonprofit Financial Commons

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

Action Steps for Nonprofits for Today's Tomorrow
Cheshire Law Group (01.29.25)

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)

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


National organizations leading advocacy efforts in support of nonprofits and philanthropy


News & Opinion

Judge orders federal agencies to release billions of dollars from two Biden-era initiatives
Michael Casey (AP News, 04.15.25)

Funders, here’s the blueprint for saving democracy
Vu Le (Nonprofit AF, 04.14.25)

Unite in Advance: Philanthropy Coalition Launches Solidarity Campaign
By Tonya Allen, Deepak Bhargavaand John Palfrey for the Nonprofit Quarterly (04.09.25)

The Values Test
By Angelique Power, The Skillman Foundation blog (04.09.25)

A Wave Forming? Funders Taking Action in Response to a Challenging Context
By Phil Buchanan, Molly Heidemann, Kevin Bolduc for the CEP blog (03.25.25)

Leading through Uncertainty: Three Questions for Funders
FSG (03.13.25)

As Funders Face New Levels of Risk, What Does Bravery Look Like?
By Lisa Pilar Cowan, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation (03.18.25)

When Crisis Hits, Multiyear Flexible Funding is Critical
By Jehan Velji, Director, Effective Philanthropy Group, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for the CEP blog (03.20.25)

Funding in Uncertain Times: Anchoring Principles for Responsive Philanthropy
By Lauren Blitzer, Executive Director, Leland Fikes Foundation for Exponent Philanthropy (03.19.25)

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)

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)