Oppose the Administration’s Grantmaking Proposal
Protect Communities and Submit Public Comment by July 13th
The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed changes to how federal grants are awarded that will directly harm nonprofits and institutions of higher education and the communities they serve, and we need YOU to take action today!
The proposed rules would expand presidential power and infuse a political agenda into the grantmaking process, while removing critical oversight by Congress. Specifically, they would:
- Bar federal funding for voter registration campaigns, drives, or related activities—even if they are nonpartisan;
- Prohibit nonprofit issue advocacy or public messaging that promotes or opposes a particular social, political, or public policy position;
- Stop nonprofits from influencing the executive branch of any State government, including on policymaking, rulemaking, or administrative actions;
- Remove workforce equity provisions, thus harming marginalized people and distressed communities that often face barriers to economic opportunities;
- Threaten other important congressionally funded federal programs that help address longstanding racial, social, or other disparities or serve underserved communities; and
- Many more harmful proposed provisions.
Under these proposed changes, political appointees would have broad discretion in making decisions about how, and to whom, federal grants are awarded, based on partisan ideologies. This brings the executive branch into a process that has traditionally been managed by Congress. In addition, the highly restrictive language around issue advocacy could prevent organizations from discussing important social issues like food security, education, discrimination, and more.
These changes will put the existence and the work of many nonprofit organizations at risk, and will impact their ability to serve vulnerable populations.
TAKE ACTION
Submit a public comment opposing these rules. The deadline is July 13th. Here's how:
- Click to access the public comment form.
- Enter your comment. Not sure what to say? We’ve included sample language below, or check out this guidance from the National Council of Nonprofits.
- Fill out the other fields on the form with your email address, whether you’re representing yourself or an organization, and that you understand the terms. Then click ‘Submit.’
- Then spread the word! Share this page with your family, friends, neighbors, and networks. We need as many people as possible to raise their voices and demand that we keep political ideology out of the federal grantmaking process!
Sample Comment Language
Please feel free to customize this to lift up your own thoughts and concerns.
I am deeply alarmed by proposed revisions to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance. Not only do these changes introduce partisan ideology into the federal grantmaking process, while removing Congressional oversight, but they will also make it extremely difficult for nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education to engage in lawful activities that protect Americans and advance democracy.
If these changes take effect, they will severely limit the ability of nonprofit organizations to provide services and improve conditions for our most vulnerable residents, including women, People of Color, low-income families, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and more. In addition, it will prevent organizations from equipping citizens to participate in our democracy by registering to vote. And it will put the very existence of many nonprofit organizations who are doing critical work at risk.
These proposed changes go against the ideals of liberty and justice for all—the ideals our country was founded upon 250 years ago. We should be working to ensure all Americans can take part in the democratic process and access the services they need to thrive. Please reject these proposed changes, in their entirety.
