Capitulation Isn’t the Answer; Building Community Is.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has aggressively targeted nonprofits – and sent a tremendous wave of fear throughout the philanthropic community.
We’ve seen DOGE forcibly take over the U.S. Institute of Peace, $400M in funding stripped from Columbia, and a federal investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion programs among the philanthropies that “hold $900B in assets and account for roughly 55 percent of all grant dollars awarded.” We’ve seen the administration stall $60M in affordable housing grants to nonprofits and allegedly freeze a $7B Biden-era grant earmarked for three climate change action groups. We’ve seen it in the Kennedy Center, with the unceremonious firing of leadership and the astonishing self-appointment of the president himself as chairman.
In response, we’ve seen too many within the philanthropic community do something surprising: roll over.
Prominent universities and programs – Columbia, Stanford, MIT’s School of Science, the University of Colorado system, Wharton School of Business, Northwestern, to name just a few – have taken down or modified their public webpages that previously rightly and proudly affirmed their DEI commitment. Other nonprofits have proactively adjusted their language to mirror the administration’s priorities and preferences. In many cases, it’s clear these actions are being taken as an offering – an attempt to say, “See, we’re palatable, we’re acceptable, don’t punish us, let us live.”
I’ll tell every nonprofit leader and philanthropist what I tell my clients in this space: Fear is understandable. Capitulation is not. If you don’t live out your mission, if you don’t hold to your principles and commit to building the community you want to see, why should your organization exist at all?
I understand the temptation to say that now is a time for survival, whatever form that may take for now. But it’s far, far too early to give up and give in. The administration is pressure-testing to see what they can get away with – and what we will freely give them. When organizations offer up compromise and capitulation – without taking a stand, without making it hard – our work and our communities simply suffer that much more, that much faster.
You don’t beg a bully, “Please don’t hurt me.” You don’t waver and wring your hands. You fight back. Weakness emboldens the merciless.
This is the time for every nonprofit and philanthropist to be brave. Loudly and courageously embrace your values. Be public and unapologetic about the world you want to see; lean into the values that animate your organization and you personally. Emphasize the shared benefit for all in your vision. Look for new pathways for partnership with other groups; perhaps there are ways to connect in mutual aid and support.
Talk to your donors and see how they’re feeling. Remember that even if the administration eliminates charitable tax deductions, that is unlikely to impact your fundraising. Research shows that 96 percent of Americans cite personal values as the number-one reason they give, with a belief in the cause as the second most powerful reason (75 percent). Reach out to your board members, show up as a leader with confidence and clarity, and you will help them help you in this volatile and uncertain time.
The more we all access our resilience and grit, the more we enliven not just ourselves, but our broader philanthropic community – and the stronger we all become.
I’m encouraged by the conversations I’m personally having with leaders but also by seeing what I hope will be a groundswell of persistent pushback: lawsuits by environmental groups, civil and human rights organizations, religious groups on behalf of immigrants; this powerful commentary by Wesleyan’s president urging the avoidance of “anticipatory compliance”; and more. Keep it up behind the scenes and out in front.
More of it all, please.
There’s simply no time to waste.