Resources for Grantseekers/Nonprofits in Response to Executive Orders and the Federal Grant                  and Contract Freeze

We continue to monitor the impact of the current Executive Orders and the Federal contract and grant funding freeze. This section of our site will contain various resources to assist the grantees of our Members and the nonprofit organizations in our State.

The Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA), the United Way of Delaware (UWDE) and the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) and our organization are building and updating resources to help nonprofits develop some risk mitigation and scenario planning as it relates to required legal preparedness around DEI certification, staffing impacts, programmatic shifts, etc. 

Updated May 12, 2025

DANA is holding a Save Our Services rally on Tuesday, May 20 at Legislative Hall in Dover. This is a prime opportunity for Delaware nonprofits to raise our collective voice against proposed funding cuts that threaten critical services across the state. The rally also enables nonprofits from different sectors to showcase how together we touch the lives of every Delawarean in some capacity. Please encourage your staff, board and volunteers to register for this important event.

Given the unpredictability at the national level and the importance of “big picture” financial planning, DANA has launched our Scenario Planning toolkit to help nonprofits better evaluate their situation in the current climate. The toolkit includes critical resources, financial modeling tools, checklists and templates to help nonprofits plan for possible scenarios that could adversely affect their operations. Those materials can be found here.

We also are holding three workshops to walk you through how to use this toolkit on May 14, May 16 and May 23. I would encourage everyone to register for these workshops so you can use this toolkit more effectively.

Just out: Congressional Republicans have released the text of their major tax bill, and it includes several harmful-to-nonprofit provisions. The bill is expected to be voted on in committee on Tuesday. It includes provisions to:

1. Giving unprecedented authority to the Administration to revoke nonprofit status from certain organizations without due process
2. Increase taxes on foundation and university endowments.
3. Tax “fringe benefits” for nonprofit organizations, with a carve out for religious orgs.
4. And on the positive side, a charitable deduction for those who take the standard deduction.

The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) is analyzing this bill further and will send more information and a call to action. We will share that with you when we receive it.

Related, NCN is holding a free webinar on Monday, May 19 at 3:30 pm for nonprofits on responding to federal grant cancellations. The webinar will cover how grants are being cancelled, steps grantees should take to prepare for the risk of cancellation, and considerations for organizations after cancellation. The NCN Public Policy team will also share actions that you can take now to advocate for your nonprofit organizations.

Click here to register for this webinar. Please note this session will not be recorded.

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We received the following resource opportunities from Delaware Community Foundation in partnership with DANA. Some of the dates/offerings are immediate in the "Meet the Moment" resource. So, act quickly.  Also note the offering from Philanthropy Delaware that may assist with some of your scenario planning and preparation during this time due to the impact of the Executive Orders and Federal Funding cuts. We continue to monitor the Federal, and State actions related to contract and grants and work to support our members in advising their grantees in determining how to proceed. As resources are available, we will certainly share those via our website or via email. We hope these are helpful. 

"Meet the Moment" activities - workshops, webinars and grants - just went live: https://delcf.org/meet-the-moment

1. DCF Opens Meet the Moment Grants on May 1  - Delaware Community Foundation

The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF), one of the largest charitable organizations in the state and a top-100 community foundation nationwide, today announced the opening of its Meet the Moment grant program. Beginning May 1, 2025, Delaware nonprofits can apply for grants of up to $20,000 to adapt to shifting funding landscapes and build long-term resilience.  

With up to $425,000 available in this round, Meet the Moment grants are designed to help nonprofits identify uncertainties in the current environment that will affect their mission, and explore and implement opportunities to adapt. The grants may support a variety of needs including scenario planning, financial forecasting, exploring new revenue models, legal supports for mergers, advocacy, storytelling and more. This grant is not intended to cover emergency gaps in funding for continuing programs, but rather to support nonprofits in assessing their viability and path forward in this new environment. Funding may be used for costs related to identifying organizational changes needed and implementing those changes.  

“Nonprofits need funds for proactive planning to meet the current moment,” said Stuart Comstock-Gay, President and CEO of the DCF. “While these grants are not designed to replace federal funding, we are eager to offer nonprofits additional resources to reshape their long-term plans so that our Delaware nonprofit community remains strong.” 

Delaware nonprofits can find eligibility details and application materials on the DCF grants page. Applications must be submitted through the DCF grants portal by May 30, 2025.