Through our national network, PANO has learned that, as early as today (4/22/2025), the Trump administration is expected to sign multiple Executive Orders targeting nonprofit organizations. These EOs may target climate and environmental groups only, and/or a broader set of nonprofit orgs, including those working on progressive issues, advocacy, and/or activism.

Specifically, at least five (5) EOs may focus on civil society. These may include:

• Changing IRS rules to say that climate change is not a charitable topic. Presumably this would strip nonprofit status from all groups that work exclusively on climate and would force groups that work on multiple topics to remove any climate programs or teams.
• Broad language that blocks grants from American entities funding any overseas activities, including through US nonprofits that work globally.
• Ending the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program.
• EOs that specifically target two large foundations.
• The deployment of DOGE teams to specific nonprofit organizations that receive federal funding.
• A directive against a target list of nonprofit organizations to be investigated.
• The targeting of tax exemptions for high-net-worth individuals who are funding causes inconsistent with the administration’s ideology.

Most media are reporting these EOs are imminent, while one media outlet received a statement from the White House denying any relevant EOs are in consideration “at this time.” Some reports are stating that certain entities will be designated “terrorist” supporting entities. This has not happened, yet. If it does, it would be a significant escalation in the administration’s attacks on civil society.

The Administration has already threatened to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status on ideological grounds. The Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, National Council of Nonprofits, and United Philanthropy Forum have issued a joint statement opposing this, warning that such actions undermine the independence of the charitable sector and civil society as a whole. The groups emphasize that the IRS must remain free from political influence and stress that targeting nonprofits for their ideas or beliefs is a serious threat to democracy.

We join with these organizations and others strongly opposing these threats to the nonprofit community. We agree that “civil society — and the charitable nonprofit sector that gives it form and voice — must remain independent of government influence. A robust civil society cannot survive when political leaders decide which institutions deserve protections based on ideology or political convenience.”

A few things for you to review and consider:

1. Sign on now to this Open Letter Rejecting Presidential Attacks on Nonprofit Organizations

Co-created by: National Council of Nonprofits, Public Citizen, State Democracy Defenders Fund, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, ACLU, and Americans Against Government Censorship.

2. Review and share the following with your staff and board: Myth v. Reality: Executive Branch Lacks Authority to Target Nonprofit Organizations
3. Protect your Nonprofit’s Tax-Exempt Status | National Council of Nonprofits

Like you, PANO hopes that none of this will come to pass. If it does, please remember:

• You are not alone.
• The nearly 50K nonprofits in Pennsylvania are not alone.
• We are part of the national community of nearly 2M nonprofits nationwide.  

We are in this together.