Are you concerned about the recent attacks on nonprofit funding? Wondering how the sudden dissolution of USAID and cuts to federal agencies are impacting vital organizations and the communities they serve? In this eye-opening installment of our Defend Nonprofits / Defend Democracy series, host Rusty Stahl delivers critical updates on the Trump Administration's actions against nonprofits, and speaks with Laura Andes, Chief Operations and Program Officer at Charity Navigator about how these cuts are affecting nonprofit organizations and leaders across America and globally.
Rusty begins with alarming updates on recent developments, including the hostile takeover of the federal grants portal, AmeriCorps staff furloughs, attacks on the Vera Institute of Justice, and legislation that would limit courts' ability to stop illegal administrative actions. He emphasizes the estimated loss of 10,000-20,000 nonprofit jobs. And he highlights concerning precedents that may be set through attacks on universities and other 501(c)(3) organizations. These moves represent a coordinated assault on both government services and the nonprofit sector that traditionally fills gaps when government falls short.
Laura Andes from Charity Navigator joins us to share insights from her decade on staff at USAID and her current role evaluating nonprofit effectiveness. Andes details Charity Navigator's response—creating resource lists of affected highly-rated organizations and launching a "Giving Is American" campaign to encourage immediate support. Both Rusty and Laura urge listeners to take action: donate now rather than waiting until year-end, encourage foundations to increase payouts, and if you're in a red state or district, contact your elected Senators and Member of Congress about the value nonprofits bring to communities and the need to keep attacks on nonprofits out of the tax bill.
Bio: Laura Andes
Laura Andes is an evaluation professional with 20 years of experience in the non-profit and government sectors. She is the Chief Program Officer, where she oversees the development of the Encompass Rating System. Before this role, she served as Vice President of Impact Ratings. She joined Charity Navigator in 2021, having considerable experience, most notably implementing and evaluating global health programs, and developing enhanced placed-based service programs in affordable housing domestically. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and an M.P.H. from Yale University. In her free time, you will find Laura exploring the mountains near her home in Colorado with her husband and two children.
Resources
Documents on the Humanitarian Impact of Aid cuts:
https://www.usaidstopwork.com/
Action Opportunities
- If you’re a nonprofit leader living or operating in a community represented by a Republican Member of Congress or Senator, please read Fund the People’s Call to Action for Red State Nonprofit Leaders. We need to help our Republican elected officials on Capitol Hill understand why they should advocate to keep the worst attacks on tax exemption from being included in the tax bill. (Whatever gets into the bill is likely to pass through the reconciliation process, which only needs a simple majority to pass.) If you are in a Blue State/District, share this Call to Action with colleagues who are in Red States/Districts.
Sign your organization to The Pact: A Civil Rights Coalition Unity Commitment
Add your foundation to the new pledge to support nonprofits through this crisis, Meet the Moment Commitment: A Call to Action for Philanthropy in 2025 (and Beyond) - via the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, and National Center for Family Philanthropy (philanthropy support organizations and nonprofits can also “endorse” the pledge, as as Fund the People was proud to do)
Sign your foundation on to the Public Statement from Philanthropy, a pledge of solidarity among funders
Help AmeriCorps members who’ve been taken out of their term of service. Fill out this form (created by friends of AmeriCorps)
If you are an AmeriCorps member who need support or want to share your story, please use this form (created by friends of AmeriCorps)
Headlines and key developments
DOGE Does Hostile Takeover of Grants.gov, Federal Grants Portal
AmeriCorps Furloughs and Cuts (Michael Smith LinkedIn post with links to articles)
DOGE Visits the Peace Corps (The Guardian)
Senator Charles Grassley Introduced a Bill that Seeks to Limit the Ability of Courts to Stop Trump Admin’s Illegal Actions (here’s a related linkedin post from Diane Yentel of the National Council of Nonprofit)
Chronicle of Philanthropy launches a monthly “Nonprofit Layoff Tracker,” with an initial estimate of 10,000 nonprofit jobs lost in the first 70 Days of the Trump Administration
Independent Sector launches a tracking system on Executive Orders, legislation, and lawsuits
COF pledge gains over 300 signature. Launched with this article.
Philanthropy groups sign the Meet the Moment commitment (article in PND)
Civil Rights organizations Pledge Unity and Mutual Support with open letter to the American People. Here’s where to sign the pledge and share it.