Letter from our Executive Director regarding federal funding freeze

Sent Tuesday, January 28 at 11:30 am. Information on the federal funding freeze is subject to change, please check this page for updates.

As you have most likely heard, last night the Trump administration issued a  “temporary” pause on all agency federal grants and loans effective at 5pm today, January 28. The memorandum leaves significant uncertainty about how broad this order extends and what immediate and longer-term impacts are expected.

MNA is working closely with our partners at the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN), our state association colleagues around the nation, state leaders, and members of our federal delegation to gain clarity and respond. The National Council of Nonprofits is filing a Temporary Restraining Order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block this action from taking effect. National Council of Nonprofits filed together with public health and small business leaders, represented in court by Democracy Forward.  We will keep you notified on the status of this action as soon as we know more.

Regardless of the breadth of this order, we are certain this action, if implemented, will have dramatic impact across the nonprofit sector – and beyond – here in Montana.  This quote from NCN CEO Diane Yentel sums up the current situation pretty darn well:

“This reckless action by the administration would be catastrophic for nonprofit organizations and the people and communities they serve. From pausing research on cures for childhood cancer to halting housing and food assistance, shuttering domestic violence and homeless shelters, and closing suicide hotlines, the impact of even a short pause in funding could be devastating and cost lives. This order must be halted immediately before such avoidable harm is done.” 

As we learn more, both about the rollout of this order and the impacts to organizations and communities, we will keep you updated.  We are being careful to share what we know, so as not to add further confusion and uncertainty to an already uncertain circumstance.  Please join us this afternoon (Tuesday, January 28) at 3pm MST for a Town Hall to discuss what we know and next steps moving forward.  You can register here.

Additionally, both MNA and NCN want to learn more about the specific impacts (both known and possible) of this order.  If your organization is expecting an impact, please take 5 minutes to complete this survey from NCN.  Your responses will remain confidential, unless you signal otherwise, and will be shared with us here at MNA.

Please know that the MNA team stands firmly with you in this anxious and uncertain time. You matter – to your constituents, your community, and this state.  This is a moment to stand together and lean into our community for support.

We will provide more information, resources, and support as soon as we have it. Please visit this page for the latest updates.

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