Background
Executive orders (EOs) signed by the President provide guidance and directives to federal agencies on their operations and policies and have the force of law. Once they are signed, they remain in effect unless they expire, are revoked, or nulled in court. Only a sitting President can rescind executive orders signed by a previous administration. However, executive orders are not legislation, and while Congress can advance legislation that supports or hinders the effects, it cannot overturn them. After he was sworn into office, President Trump signed dozens of EOs covering a broad range of issues.
Why it Matters to Nonprofits
The work of charitable nonprofits cover a wide range of causes and efforts, and executive orders have the potential to impact funding, staffing, and general operations of critical community services. The implications of the executive orders vary greatly from immediately taking effect to immediately being challenged in court. Staying abreast of the executive orders and their related actions is crucial for ensuring nonprofits are aware of upcoming hurdles to their work.
Nonprofits with federal grants and contracts, especially those providing diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings and programs to or in partnership with the federal government, or work in immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, or environmental protection, should review their programs and contract language immediately as it pertains the various EOs.
Key Resources
Chart of Executive Orders
In an effort to aid the swift analysis of the recent executive orders, we have crafted a chart of the most pertinent executive orders, expected impacts, and related actions that we will be updating regularly.
General FAQs on Executive Actions Impacting Nonprofits
To answer some of the pressing questions on the minds of nonprofits, we compiled a document with frequently asked questions.
A Nonprofit Checklist: What to Do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated
Initial steps that nonprofits should engage in when they learn that their federal grant or contract is terminated by a federal agency.
Ongoing Litigation
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Woonasquatucket et. al. v. Department of Agriculture, latest update on March 6, 2025.
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National Council of Nonprofits et al. v. Office of Management and Budget, latest update on March 13, 2025.
Official Statements & Press Releases
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National Council of Nonprofits Statement on White House Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, official statement, National Council of Nonprofits, Feb. 7, 2025.
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National Council of Nonprofits Statement on Pause to Federal Grants and Contracting, official statement, National Council of Nonprofits, Jan. 28, 2025.
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National Council of Nonprofits Statement on Executive Orders from President Trump, official statement, National Council of Nonprofits, Jan. 27, 2025.
Share the impacts
To help get a better sense of the real-world effects of the announced executive orders or the new freeze in federal funding, we have set up a form for nonprofits to share the effects on their missions and the people they serve.
Fill out our brief form
Additional Resources
- Why We Filed a Lawsuit Against the Administration, Diane Yentel, National Council of Nonprofits, Feb. 10, 2025.
- "Head on a Swivel" Advocacy, National Council of Nonprofits, Jan. 27, 2025.
- Presidential Actions, White House.
- What Is an Executive Order?, American Bar Association, Jan. 25, 2021.
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Multi-State Guidance Concerning Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Employment Initiatives, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, The State of Illinois Offices of the Attorney General, and 14 state attorneys general, Feb. 13, 2025.
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Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions, Just Security
- Alaska Nonprofits - Essential to Our Way of Life, The Foraker Group, Feb. 24, 2025.
Webinar on the Executive Actions
National Webinar: Executive Actions and their Impact on Charitable Nonprofits (57:38) recording and slides, National Council of Nonprofits, Feb. 7, 2025.