It is no secret that the new Presidential administration has shaken up the nonprofit world and led to a period of great uncertainty. Since the work of nonprofit organizations is integral to so many parts of our community, including growing and distributing food, educating children, serving older adults, providing health care for vulnerable communities, advocating for a cleaner environment, supporting those facing homelessness, and so many more. There are also several nonprofits that have not been affected by the Executive Orders and subsequent actions of the current administration.
As each nonprofit navigates its own present and future in the current climate, ZIM has been supporting its clients with up-to-date, national information to help support their decision-making.
Executive Orders and Impacts on Nonprofits
Since the White House began releasing Executive Orders (EOs) on January 20, 2025, nonprofits have experienced foundation-shifting impacts to their missions and federal fundraising for these efforts. Nonprofits that work directly with immigrant and refugee populations, on local environmental efforts, or with LGBTQIA+ communities have felt the pain most immediately. Existing funding has been frozen, cancelled, delayed, or otherwise obstructed, putting nonprofit work in limbo without access to needed dollars. Organizations that have worked hard to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into their missions are now wondering if they will be targeted for these gains. With changes anticipated in other federal agencies, such as at the Department of Education, more nonprofits will continue to be affected by abrupt changes in federal funding.
ZIM’s Response to Client Needs
Keeping up with the speed of the EOs, subsequent lawsuits, rescissions, and injunctions is virtually impossible when you are also leading a nonprofit. ZIM responded quickly to the urgent questions it was receiving from its clients, gathered data on potentially impacted funding, and connected clients to resources to help them make decisions on program, marketing, and fundraising changes.
ZIM has also been supporting its clients by:
Monitoring federal actions that have impacted current and future federal funding and providing updates as needed
Advising clients on how to protect existing federal contracts and awards through compliance and communications with grants officers
Working with each client’s individual needs on how to align new applications to retain its chances of winning federal grants
Using its network of nonprofits and local and state leadership to assess and influence the wider impacts to the state’s economy and wellbeing
While the future continues to be uncertain, responsive and nimble nonprofits still have opportunities to apply for and receive federal funding without putting their mission and values in jeopardy. ZIM will continue to walk alongside its nonprofit partners, every step of the way, to ensure their impactful work in the community continues.