Bridging the Sector – February 26, 2025
This weekly newsletter is your connection to vital information and resources for navigating local, state, and federal government developments that affect the Northeast Florida nonprofit sector. By curating resources from trusted organizations, you’ll be connected to the reliable information you need to make informed decisions for your organization and the communities you serve.
| Calls to Action: |
| Executive Actions Impact Survey: In the early days of his administration, President Trump issued dozens of Executive Orders with wide-ranging effects. Florida Nonprofit Alliance (FNA) and the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida invite nonprofits to share the impacts of these executive actions on their work. COMPLETE SURVEY | Bridging the Sector Convening | March 7, 10-10:30AM Join us for a weekly, 30-minute call where we will be joined by local and national leaders as we discuss local, state, and national government developments. They will share perspectives, information, and guidance to help you navigate the changing landscape. REGISTER HERE |
| Federal Resources |
| National Council of Nonprofits | Judge Issues National Injunction to Block Trump Administration’s Devastating Attempt to Halt Funding For Essential Services Preliminary Injunction issued after Democracy Forward filed suit and secured a prior Temporary Restraining Order on behalf of the National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, Main Street Alliance, and SAGE. READ HERE | National Council of Nonprofits | DC 4,500+ Nonprofit Signers on Letter to Congress Last week, more than 4,500 charitable organizations from all 50 states sent an Open Letter to Members of the 119th Congress urging them to keep front of mind the reality that charitable nonprofits are essential to the U.S. economy and society, including as significant employers, taxpayers, and partners with government at all levels. READ HERE |
| Independent Sector | DC Download: Turning Knowledge Into Action On January 28, 2025, Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Danny Davis (D-IL), Carol Miller (R-WV), and Chris Pappas (D-NH) reintroduced the Charitable Act in the House, followed by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) reintroducing it in the Senate on January 29. This bipartisan legislation would restore and expand the non-itemized deduction for charitable giving, ensuring that all Americans — regardless of whether they itemize — can deduct donations to charities, houses of worship, religious organizations, and other nonprofits from their taxes. READ HERE |
| State Resources |
| Nonprofits & ICE Guidance This guidance is intended to provide basic information regarding the rights and obligations of nonprofit organizations in the event an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent comes to your place of business. Much of this guidance reflects rights grounded in the United States Constitution, and in particular judicial decisions interpreting the Fourth Amendment, which are largely settled and unlikely to change significantly. This memorandum is meant to provide general information only, not legal advice. If you have any questions about this guide, or if your organization is contacted by any law enforcement officer, please contact an attorney. ACCESS HERE | Florida Nonprofit Alliance | Building Relationships with Elected Officials – A Guide Whether you’re an experienced advocate or new to public policy, this guide will offer practical steps to cultivate meaningful relationships with your elected officials and use these connections to further your nonprofit’s mission. ACCESS HERE |
| Florida Policy Institute | A Risky Proposition: Weakening Local Governments by Eliminating Property Tax Revenue Considering recent policy proposals to eliminate property taxes, this brief explores the property tax, its role as a source of local fiscal autonomy, possibilities for reform, and the consequences of replacing property taxes with other revenue options. READ HERE |
| Local Resources |
| Public Service Grant Council Budget Committee | March 3, 2PM The Public Service Grant Council Budget Committee will meet in a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. This meeting is offered in-person at the Ed Ball Building (8th Floor Main Conference Room 851), 214 North Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 and virtually through the Zoom webinar and audio application. The public is invited to attend this meeting in-person or via the Zoom webinar and audio application. CLICK HERE |
| Resources for Funders |
| Center for Effective Philanthropy | Unlocking Potential and Supporting Resilience: A Look at The Growing Evidence for Unrestricted Funding Locally, nationally, and globally, funders aim to partner with and empower people and organizations committed to making the world a better, more sustainable, and healthier place to live, where all can thrive. How can they do that most effectively? Well, the good news is that a growing body of research and evidence points to one very effective solution: unrestricted — or “core”— funding. READ MORE |
| Additional Resources |
| Candid | Why the social sector is vital to healthy, thriving communities While federal judges have temporarily blocked a funding freeze, agencies continue to withhold funding. As the situation continues to evolve, here are some facts and figures that shed light on the sector’s work and potential impacts if the services they provide were to cease. READ HERE | Nonprofit Quarterly | Nonprofits Prepare for a Fight over Tax Policies Amid a threatened freezing of all federal grants to nonprofits by the Trump administration, a less conspicuous but no less consequential fight is looming—over tax policies that could weaken nonprofits if not undermine their very foundations. READ HERE |
| Nonprofit Quarterly | From Opposition to Opportunity: How Nonprofit Leaders Can Show Up Today Faced with unprecedented, unparalleled challenges, what do nonprofit leaders do when they don’t know what to do? It is easy to feel overwhelmed, to let the weight of uncertainty paralyze us. But leaders don’t have the luxury of standing still. The stakes are too high, and the people we serve depend on us to move forward, even when the path isn’t clear. So, what can we do? READ HERE |
| Nonprofit Center Events & Resources |
| The Nonprofit Center is committed to developing and delivering programming and resources that help organizations strengthen their infrastructure and sustain their impact. To see a full list of our programs and resources visit our website at www.nonprofitctr.org. How to Build & Keep a Thriving Team | March 4, 9:30AM Health & Wellness, Catalyst Convening 2 | March 5, 9AM Bridging the Sector Convening | March 7, 10AM Resources for Scenario Planning & Disaster Preparedness Nonprofit Center Advocacy Center |