Philanthropy Today

The White House budget office has ordered federal agencies to pause all grants except those directly to individuals, throwing into confusion thousands of programs, including those involving research, health care, and education. The order specifically mentions grants “including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal,” pending an analysis to see if the disbursements conform to President Donald Trump’s agenda. Some experts said the president could “legally pause money temporarily” but would need congressional approval beyond that. (Washington Post)

Some lawyers and nonprofits helping undocumented people prepare for immigration court were blocked from detention sites and had their federal grants suspended following an executive order last week targeting programs for immigrants without legal status. Advocates say the programs helped immigration courts function more effectively, but supporters of the suspension say people in the country without legal status are not guaranteed government-funded counsel and that the move will expedite long-needed deportations. California has a bill in the works to provide $25 million for pro bono lawyers for people likely to be targeted by the Trump administration, including immigrants and transgender people. (Los Angeles Times)

• Background from the Chronicle: Foundations and Government Team Up to Pay for Legal Help for Immigrants Facing Deportation

More on the Second Trump Administration

• Health Groups Prepare for the Unthinkable: Working With RFK Jr. (Associated Press)
• Trump Is Just Getting Started. What Are Climate Activists Supposed to Do? (Grist)
  
  • Background from the Chronicle: Facing Arrest and Worse, Climate Advocates Need Legal Defenders. Philanthropy Can Help.

More News

• Food Banks See Rising Hunger Among Working Americans (Bloomberg City Lab)
• WA Philanthropies Shut Down Youth Homelessness Organization (The Seattle Times)
• The Unusual Story of SF’s Park-Bench Philanthropist (San Francisco Standard)

Arts and Culture

• Kennedy Center’s Leader to Step Down, Adding to Uncertainty (New York Times)
• Rising Revenues Won’t Cover the Pittsburgh Symphony’s $7M Deficit — But Leadership Has a Plan (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette— subscription)
• How a Trip to Auschwitz Led to a New Holocaust Museum in Boston (Boston Business Journal)
• The Secrets Behind the Small Museums That Start Big Trends (Artnet News)
• Museum of the Earth in Ithaca, N.Y., Faces Financial Crisis After $30 Million Pledge Falls Through (Ithaca.com)

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