{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Nonprofits Under Siege: Don\u2019t Panic, Prepare!","description":"In recent months, the threats facing nonprofit organizations have continued to develop at a furious pace. In the face of challenges like funding reductions and congressional investigations, nonprofits are taking the time to shore up their defenses and prepare for what\u2019s to come. On this episode, we\u2019ll discuss several recent events that have the sector talking so that your nonprofit can take the steps necessary to ensure your continued ability to boldly advocate on behalf of your communities.   Attorneys for this episode \u00b7      Brittany Hacker Leonard \u00b7      Tim Mooney \u00b7      Natalie Ossenfort   Shownotes \u00b7      In recent months: o   Federal Executive Orders & Memos: \u00a7  March 7: EO entitled \u201cRestoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness\u201d, which makes employees of organizations with a \u201csubstantial illegal purpose\u201d ineligible for public service loan forgiveness benefits. \u00b7      \u201cTargets orgs supporting terrorism and aiding an dabetting illegal immigration\u201d \u00a7  August 28: EO entitled \u201cUse of Appropriated Funds for Illegal Lobbying and Partisan Political Activity by Federal Grantees\u201d, where the President directs the Attorney General to investigate whether federal grant funds are being used to support lobbying initiatives. \u00a7  September 25: National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM-7)+ Sept 22 EO designating Antifa as domestic terrorist org: designating domestic groups as terrorist orgs. o   Congressional Oversight (Letters and Hearings): \u00a7  October 6: Ways and Means Committee Letter to IRS requesting investigation of specific nonprofits and revocation of their tax-exempt status \u00a7  October 28: Letter sent to three 501(c)(3) foundations regarding their compliance with nonprofit tax law \u00a7  November 5: Letter sent to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding its funding of \u201cfar-left\u201d organizations via the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund \u00a7  Check out the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law\u2019s congressional investigations tracker for additional examples. o   State-Level Actions: \u00a7  Texas: November 18 Executive Order designating certain organizations \u201cforeign terrorist organizations\u201d, barring them from purchasing property in the state.   \u00b7      Stay alert: o   Be on the lookout for new state laws related to foreign contributions to ballot measures. At least 19 states have enacted bans on contributions from foreign nationals to ballot question efforts, nine during the 2025 legislative session alone. o   Expect a possible uptick in I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) Enforcement. Employers are required to timely and properly complete and retain Form I-9 for each employee they hire.   \u00b7      What you can do: o   Don\u2019t fall for the sternly worded \u201cLetters to Santa\u201d by Members of Congress. o   Conduct a compliance self-assessment with AFJ Bolder Advocacy\u2019s \u201cAdvocacy Check-Up\u201d tool. o   Take advantage of the Nonprofit Legal Defense Network (created in partnership with We The Action). o   Brush up on federal and state election season advocacy rules in advance of the 2026 Midterms, and adopt an election season advocacy policy for signature by staff, board members, and volunteers. o   Lobby against legislation that would create new barriers to your nonprofit\u2019s advocacy. Just remember to stay within your public charity lobbying limits. o   Go on the offense. o   Reach out to AFJ\u2019s Bolder Advocacy team for free technical assistance. Resources \u00b7      Break in Case of Panic! hub \u00b7      Preparing for Politically Motivated Attacks on-demand webinar \u00b7      How Nonprofits Can Fight Back Against Trump\u2019s Harmful Executive Orders blog \u00b7      Advocacy Check-Up: compliance self-assessment tool for 501(c)(3) public charities \u00b7      Nonprofit Legal Defense Network   ","author_name":"Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/afj.org\/podcast","html":"