The administration’s latest proposal targeting nonprofits represents a dangerous escalation in efforts to silence organizations that serve our communities and advance equity.

Since the beginning of his current term, Donald Trump has repeatedly sought to restrict funding for programs that help families meet basic needs—from housing and nutrition to health care and education. Early on, the administration moved to dismantle Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives across federal agencies, rolling back efforts designed to address longstanding racial, economic, and disability-related inequities.

Now, a new proposed rule from the General Services Administration goes even further. It would require nonprofits, Native Tribes, and state and local governments seeking federal funding to certify compliance with sweeping and vaguely defined restrictions related to DEIA and other activities. These requirements are not only unclear—they are deeply harmful.

Right now through Monday, March 30th, there is an open federal comment period, and we need to make our voices heard before it’s too late. 

Click here to submit an official comment rejecting Trump’s attacks on immigrants, Tribes, service providers, and diverse communities.

At the core of the proposal is ambiguity. The rule fails to define what constitutes DEIA, leaving organizations uncertain about what activities might put them at risk. Programs that have long been considered lawful—and in many cases upheld by courts—could suddenly be treated as suspect. This lack of clarity is not accidental. It creates a chilling effect, discouraging organizations from pursuing equity-focused work out of fear of legal consequences.

Equally troubling is the rule’s attempt to conflate community-based services with threats to national security. Nonprofits would be required to certify that they do not “fund, subsidize, or facilitate terrorism or other illegal activities,” yet the administration provides no meaningful guidance on what those terms include. This opens the door to politically motivated enforcement, where organizations that challenge administration policies or serve marginalized communities could be unfairly targeted.

The proposal also takes aim at immigrant communities and those who support them. Across the country, nonprofits provide essential services such as legal representation, humanitarian aid, and emergency shelter to immigrants and asylum seekers. These are lawful and critical activities. But under this rule, organizations engaging in such work could face increased scrutiny, legal threats, or even penalties—simply for fulfilling their missions.

The consequences would be far-reaching. Faced with the risk of audits, lawsuits, or punitive action, many nonprofits may choose not to apply for federal grants at all. This would mean fewer experienced providers delivering critical services, and ultimately, fewer resources reaching the communities that need them most. At a time when families are already struggling with rising costs and unmet basic needs, pulling back support systems would only deepen hardship.

This proposal is not about accountability or public safety. It is about control—about using federal funding as leverage to silence dissent, restrict lawful activities, and undermine organizations committed to equity and inclusion. It threatens the very foundation of the nonprofit sector, which plays a vital role in strengthening communities, advancing opportunity, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

We have the chance to stop this. Submit your comment by March 30th to take a stand in defense of immigrants, people of color, people with disabilities, and organizations that serve our communities.