The Impacts of the Recent Executive Orders on Nonprofits

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

Read about Chart of Executive Orders

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.

Read about General FAQs on Executive Actions Impacting Nonprofits

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.

Read about A Nonprofit Checklist: What to Do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated

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

Official Statements & Press Releases

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

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.

Related Insights and Analyses

See all

Cookies UI