Shared Language and Glossaries

A wave of Executive Orders (EOs) and other actions and communications from the federal administration in early 2025 have called for the eradication of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across an array of policies and structures, eliminating staffing, supports and related resources. These actions have also directly targeted immigrants and refugees, the LGBTQ+ community and People of Color.

Further, an attempt by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in January 2025 to freeze federal grants and loans, and statements by federal agency leaders, have targeted the work of nonprofit organizations and philanthropy.  

Harmful effects are being seen and felt across our sector and in our Michigan communities. While the federal grant freeze was rescinded and other issues are being litigated, the EOs remain. CMF anticipates actions impacting Michigan philanthropy and our commitment to equity will continue in the months ahead.

Recognizing this is a fast-moving and fluid situation, CMF has organized these pages as a resource hub for our members, to help you navigate the uncertainty with access to relevant resources, timely news, and opportunities for action. Beyond that, we aim to help you help lead boldly – remaining steadfast in leading with your values in your practices, your work in policy and your support for the people who power our sector. 

Are you looking for resources not featured here? Do you have a suggested resource to add? Connect with our team!

Join the CMF Policy Online Community to stay connected to the latest in policy developments. If you have any questions on policy and advocacy engagement, connect with Regina Bell, CMF's Chief Policy Officer.

Chairmen Green, Brecheen Launch Probe into 200+ NGOs 

This week, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) and Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman Josh Brecheen (R-OK) launched a probe into more than 200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that the committee says "were involved in providing services or support to inadmissible aliens during the Biden-Harris administration’s historic border crisis."

Read the article from June 11, 2025

Recent Subcommittee DOGE Hearing

Last Wednesday, the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) held a hearing to “expose NGOs’ use of federal funds to advance destructive policies.”

According to analysis from our partners at Integer, subcommittee chair Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene opened the hearing by accusing left-leaning NGOs of misusing billions in taxpayer dollars to push a radical left agenda and praising efforts to expose and eliminate these so-called “NGO slush funds.”
Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN), was one of four witnesses testifying in support of the work of charitable nonprofits across the country.

“Nonprofits address local needs with local solutions, reaching people and communities that might otherwise be overlooked. They deliver critical services that strengthen neighborhoods, support families and improve lives,” Yentel shared during the hearing. Several of the subcommittee members did not ask Yentel any questions. Those who did ask questions focused on the politics of the environmental and climate organizations and her compensation.

NCN is sharing Yentel’s full testimony (linked below) advocating for the work of charitable nonprofits, highlighting their nonpartisan position and how recent federal administration attempts to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofits will harm the communities they serve. Yentel also emphasized that it would be illegal for the federal administration to pull the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations.

Rep. Greene concluded the hearing by stating that the DOGE subcommittee will hold a vote this week on DOGE recision cuts that the committee has discussed during its hearings. She shared that the committee will be “cutting government funding, government spending, government waste, fraud and abuse.”

NCN’s resource Myth v. Reality (linked below) outlines how the executive branch lacks the authority to target nonprofit organizations. The resource shares that the executive branch does not have the authority to unilaterally limit what types of organizations are eligible for 501(c)(3) status and highlights other actions that the branch does not have legal authority over.

Resources related to this hearing from National Council of Nonprofits

• Setting the Record Straight - Nonprofits Are Trusted and Accountable Local Partners (Article from NCN)
• Myth V. Reality: Executive Branch Lacks Authority to Target Nonprofit Organizations (PDF from NCN)
• Diane Yentel's testimony advocating for the work of charitable nonprofits (Document from NCN)
• DOGE Hearing Recording

May 27 Education Update

On May 27, the Trump administration asked federal agencies to cancel all remaining contracts with Harvard University worth nearly $100 million. The government already has canceled more than $2.6 billion in federal research grants for Harvard.

May 22 Tax Bill Update

The tax bill passed the House and will now move to the Senate for consideration. As we have shared, this legislation would significantly challenge the foundational ways philanthropy operates, threatening resources, operational support and the flexibility to meet the needs of our communities. Visit our Active Legislation tab to learn more. 

On May 22, a federal judge in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction blocking President Trump and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon from carrying out Trump's executive order calling for the secretary to close the Education Department. The judge also told the administration to reinstate Education Department employees who lost their jobs during the reduction-in-force announced on March 11 and "to restore the Department to the status quo."

Timely Resources

• Communications Guide • National Council of Nonprofits
• Nonprofits Under Fire: How the IRS Can – and Cannot – Revoke Federal Tax-Exempt Status • Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC
• Joint Statement on Threats to Civil Society and the Independence of the Charitable Sector • Independent Sector
• Myth v. Reality: Executive Branch Lacks Authority to Target Nonprofit Organizations • National Council of Nonprofits
• Tracking Recent Executive Orders that Could Impact the Sector • National Council of Nonprofits (Ongoing)
• White House Listing of Presidential Actions • The White House (Ongoing)
• Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions • Just Security (Ongoing)