Informing Philanthropy on Executive Actions
With the new federal administration comes many new executive actions that directly impact philanthropy and its nonprofit partners. It is an ever-changing, and fluid situation, causing confusion both within the government and across the social sector (philanthropy and nonprofits). According to the Urban Institute, nationwide, 103,475 public charities reported receiving a total of over $267 billion from government grants in 2021. The inflation-adjusted total of over $300 billion represents almost three times the most recent estimates of foundation giving. Philanthropy alone is not able to fill the gap of any potential lost government funding.
Philanthropy supporting organizations (PSOs), like CNJG, are convening funders to keep them informed of new changes so they can make informed decisions. In addition to presenting our own learning series on these implications, CNJG is curating resources, webpages, and other convenings for philanthropy to help navigate the changes. Sharing information with other funders is critical to keeping philanthropy informed in the weeks and months ahead. Having the latest information supports thoughtful collaboration and decision-making in times of change.
As foundation leaders dedicated to our New Jersey communities, please consider the full range of strategies your organizations can employ during these truly unprecedented times. Please share your stories with Manager of Communications Shakirat Odunsi, about how you are changing and/or adapting your grantmaking and work in the face of the dramatic policy shifts that are happening in the executive branch.
Have another resource to add to this page? Please email us.
CNJG Programs
Making Sense of Federal Policy Series:
March 13: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Immigration
March 20: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Health
March 27: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Environment
April 3: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Education
April 10: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Housing
April 17: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Media & Journalism
April 24: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Arts
February 23-26: Foundations on the Hill 2025
February 28: Beyond the Rulings: Strategies to Safeguard Nonprofits in a Shifting Landscape, Part 1
This session will not be recorded.
March 12: Newark Funder Affinity Group: Shared Strategies and Collaboration for 2025 and the Years Ahead
April 11: Beyond the Rulings: Strategies to Safeguard Nonprofits in a Shifting Legal Landscape, Part 2
This session will not be recorded, nor will AI recorders be allowed.
May 12: Beyond the Rulings: Strategies to Safeguard Nonprofits in a Shifting Legal Landscape, Part 3
This session will not be recorded, nor will AI recorders be allowed.
Programs by CNJG Members
Monmouth & Ocean Roundtable of Funders (2/18/2025)
Other Programs/Webinars
Policy World Wednesdays
Held the second Wednesday of each month to discuss all things policy, including the latest developments at the federal, state and local levels; legislative insights and advocacy opportunities; and to share any other policy or advocacy issues currently on your organization’s radar.
Recordings:
National Council of Nonprofits: Executive Actions and their Impact on Charitable Nonprofits and slides
New Jersey Center for Nonprofits: Advocacy, Lobbying and Nonprofits: Yes, You Can
National Council of Nonprofits: The Legal Landscape and Path Ahead for Nonprofits and Philanthropy and slides
CNJG Member Actions
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Statement From Dr. Richard Besser Condemning Executive Order Backsliding on DEI and Health
Paul DiLorenzo Op-Ed: The Families We Serve Also Hold No Cards
United Way of Greater Mercer County published "Disrupted: How Federal Funding Volatility is Affecting Nonprofits" a survey reporting the impacts of the federal executive actions on Mercer County nonprofits.
New Jersey Focused Response Funds
Equip NJ: An intermediary initiative aimed at strengthening the ecosystem of organizations working to advance health equity in New Jersey. Members of the advocacy and racial justice fields have shaped EQUIP NJ’s design, priorities, and vision.
New Jersey Sustainability and Resiliency Fund: A partnership by six New Jersey United Ways, this fund was created to support the non-profit sector to ensure its continued impact and resiliency.
Presentations and recording of CNJG webinar on March 18
Action Items
To help the National Council of Nonprofits get a better sense of the real-world effects of the announced executive orders or changes in federal funding, they have set up a form for nonprofits to share the effect on their missions and the people they serve. Funders: encourage your nonprofit partners to complete the brief form.
Please share your stories with Manager of Communications Shakirat Odunsi, about how you are changing and/or adapting your grantmaking and work in the face of the dramatic policy shifts that are happening in the executive branch.
Funders: for those that want to move in solidarity with nonprofits, mobilize money, and nurture possibility, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project offers you the opportunity to sign a philanthropic commitment for trust-based action. We invite you to share this with peers, and join the growing community of grantmakers and donors taking trust-based, courageous action on behalf of the social sector.
Sites Summarizing Actions for Philanthropy
Center for Effective Philanthropy: How Funders Can Respond to an Unprecedented Threat to Nonprofits
Democracy 2025: Response Center
Exponent Philanthropy: Philanthropy’s Responsibility Persists: Staying the Course Amid Change
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations: Supporting Our Communities: Key Strategies for Navigating Federal Funding Threats
Grantmakers in Health: Helping Health Philanthropy Navigate the New Administration and Congress
Grantmakers in the Arts: Community Resources on the New Presidential Administration’s Actions (shared summary document)
Just Security: Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Administration Actions
National Center for Family Philanthropy: Navigating Uncertain Times
National Council of Nonprofits: Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits
National Council of Nonprofits: The Impact of the Recent Executive Orders on Nonprofits
New Jersey Center for Nonprofits: New Jersey Nonprofits Need Your Help, Too (op-ed in NJ Spotlight)
New Jersey Center for Nonprofits: Resources to Navigate Uncertainty
United Philanthropy Forum: Executive Actions Impacting the Philanthropic & Nonprofit Sectors
Resources to Assist Funders
CNJG: What Every Grantmaker Should Know and Frequently Asked Questions
ABFE: READI Resource Bank
Alliance for Justice: Bolder Advocacy Resources for Funding Advocacy
Alliance for Justice: How Can Foundations Support Policy Change?
Candid: How Many Nonprofits Rely on Government Grants?
Center for Effective Philanthropy: Challenging Times: How U.S. Nonprofit Leaders are Experiencing the Political Context
Council of Nonprofits: Let’s Get This Straight: Advocacy vs. Lobbying (for nonprofits)
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees: Fighting for our Future: Immigrant Rights and our Multiracial Democracy Recommendations for Philanthropy in 2025
Grantmakers in the Arts: The New Presidential Administration: Lessons for Us All
The Impact Project: The Impact Map - a website that shows policy, funding, and workforce changes from the federal government and their localized effect.
Lawyers Alliance for New York & New York Lawyers for the Public Interest: FAQs for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Required Certifications
Meltzer Center @ NYU Law: Advancing DEI Initiative
National Council of Nonprofits: Executive Branch Lacks Authority to Target Nonprofit Organizations
New Jersey Nonprofits: Trends and Outlook 2025
New Jersey Policy Perspective: Federal Funding Cuts Threaten New Jersey’s Residents
NJ.gov Department of Human Services: Modeling Impact to NJ Medicaid of Congressional Budget Proposals
PACE Funders: Bridging Language
Philanthropy.com: Amid Funding Freezes and ICE Raids, What Will It Take to Support Grantees?
Pro Bono Partnership: Resources for Nonprofits on 2025 Federal Actions
Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC: Nonprofits Under Fire: How the IRS Can – and Cannot – Revoke Federal Tax-Exempt Status
Urban Institute: What’s the Financial Risk of Nonprofits Losing Government Grants?
CNJG provides this information free to the philanthropic community. If you are not a CNJG member, please join so you can take full advantage of the many benefits of membership and help underwrite the cost of services like this.