- Find trusted sources of news. We recommend the National Council of Nonprofits, the Urban Institute, and Montana Free Press. This resource, Democracy 2025, provides updates on EOs and their legal status.
- Identify your risk level for loss of funding or investigation into exempt status (guide below).
- Prioritize the most important actions.
- Act in solidarity. We are all stronger together.
Our Political Climate Response Planning Guide has been developed to offer suggestions for response strategies as organizations navigate uncertain futures and a hostile political climate. This will be updated with resources and suggestions. It is intended as an opportunity to help organizations identify and prioritize their most important next steps in navigating uncertainty and responding proactively as circumstances change.
MNA recognizes the intent of recent Executive Orders to create a sense of urgency and fear among individuals and organizations about the real harm caused by potential and actual funding cuts. This climate makes it easy for organizational leaders to feel overwhelmed and adrift.
This resource provides our top recommendations for the needs you are facing, knowing there are a lot of resources and information for leaders to sift through. Countless resources exist if our suggestions don’t meet your needs. This FAQ guide from NCN is a great starting place.
MNA advises all organizations at this time to:
Risk Mapping for Your Organization
| Consideration | This is true for us | This is somewhat true for us | This is not true for us |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our mission centers social justice, environmental concerns, immigrant services, and/or we are an affiliated organization (c3/c4 or other exempt statuses) | Defend | Strategize | Support |
| We receive federal funding | Defend | Strategize | Support |
| We receive state funding | Strategize | Strategize | Support |
| We have funders who align politically with EOs | Strategize | Strategize | Support |
| We have partners who receive federal funding | Support + Strategize | Support + Strategize | Support |
Organizations that receive federal or state funding are most at risk of losing funding in the immediate future. While other organizations may be subject to law changes at some point, that remains unclear as of February 26th, 2025. This may change rapidly, but at this time the nature of the Executive Orders and federal funding means non-federally funded organizations are NOT in the highest risk category.
However, almost every organization can take steps now to support themselves and our communities during a time of uncertainty.
Use the grid below to identify your response strategy and next steps, then prioritize the actions you’ll need to take in the next two weeks.
What to do if you are:
Governance (the board)
- Bring board in immediately for conversations and guidance.
- Review your Corporate Governance Documents and Document Retention Policy. You can view our reviewed (but not yet adopted) policy here and additional suggested document retention schedule here. Thanks to Amber Henning for the quick review. If you are looking for legal review for this or other documents, Amber Henning and our other legal partners are available.
- Governing in a Time of Crisis: 10 Actions for Boards
- Consider hiring an expert to help the board govern thoughtfully and effectively during this time. MNA’s Partners for Good are ready and waiting.
- Have you already received a letter entitled Notice of Modification to Award Provisions? Consider using this letter as a guide for your response from Tennessee Nonprofit Network
Scenario & Strategic Planning
Fund Development
- Montana and regional funders are currently assessing federal funding at risk in Montana. Check back for updates.
- Consider hiring an expert to help identify alternative funding sources during this time. MNA’s Partners for Good are ready and waiting.
Advocacy & Public Policy
- Conduct an Advocacy Check up
- Share your story. Access MNA’s free Letter to the Editor and Op-Ed Toolkit.
Communications
- Consider updating your language if funding is at risk.
- Crisis Management Communication Tips for Leaders
- Colorado Nonprofits Crisis Communication Plan Toolkit
Human Resources
- Layoff and Furlough Resource
- Staff Safety Guide (forthcoming)
- Explore resources for social movements under attack with this resource from Building Movement
- Consider hiring an expert to help navigate HR needs during this time. MNA’s Partners for Good are ready and waiting.
- Westaff is also offering 1 hour of free consulting to any member of MNA. Email [email protected] to schedule
Financial Management
Programs
- Determine which programs are most impacted by funding freeze and determine if you can pause or isolate.
Accountability, Transparency, and Disclosure
- Consider hiring an expert to help interpret legal needs and orders during this time. MNA’s Partners for Good are ready and waiting.
IT
- Ensure staff information is kept safe and secure.
- Prioritize identifying cybersecurity risks and develop an action plan to tighten up systems and processes.
- Additional cybersecurity resources here
Evaluation
- Census and Survey Data (IPUMS)With many federal data sources being removed, find census and American Community Survey microdata.
- Sign up HERE to receive resources detailing the impact of the freeze on MT nonprofits to share with stakeholders (link forthcoming)
Networks and Partners
- Prepare your messaging to talk to your constituents about the issue. Emphasize that attempts to punish political opponents is an abuse of power. There are already systems in place for oversight of nonprofits. Focus on the important work of your local, service-based organizations and the impact you have in your communities. Americans Against Government Censorship has created a guide for messaging points.
- Make sure you’re plugged in with your subsector coalition group (e.g. MT Housing Coalition, MT Watershed Coordination Council). Not sure if you have one? Contact MNA!
- You may begin considering mergers and alliances with other organizations. La Piana’s Merger and Alliance toolkit offers a thorough look at how to begin.
Governance (the board)
- With the board or executive committee, Review NCN’s Executive Order Summary Chart and identify how EOs and the climate they create might impact your organization.
- Review NCN’s FAQs to gain clarity.
- Review your Corporate Governance Documents and Document Retention Policy. You can view our reviewed (but not yet adopted) policy here and additional suggested document retention schedule here. Thanks to Amber Henning for the quick review. If you are looking for legal review for this or other documents, Amber Henning and our other legal partners are available.
Scenario & Strategic Planning
Fund Development
- Montana and regional funders are currently assessing federal funding at risk in Montana. Check back for updates.
- Consider hiring an expert to help identify alternative funding sources during this time. MNA’s Partners for Good are ready and waiting.
Advocacy & Public Policy
- Share your story. Access MNA’s free Letter to the Editor and Op-Ed Toolkit.
- What to share with congressional delegations: Template forthcoming!
Communications
- Consider what your threshold of risk is to change language on your materials and website, weighing the threat of funding cuts with meeting the needs of your community.
- Crisis Management Communication Tips for Leaders
- Colorado Nonprofits Crisis Communication Plan Toolkit
Human Resources
- Layoff and Furlough Resource
- Staff Safety Guide (forthcoming)
- Navigating the Waters of Unemployment Liability | Free Webinar | March 19th
- Explore resources for social movements under attack with this resource from Building Movement
- Explore resources for social movements under attack with this resource from Building Movement
- Consider hiring an expert to help navigate HR needs during this time. MNA’s Partners for Good are ready and waiting.
- Westaff is also offering 1 hour of free consulting to any member of MNA. Email [email protected] to schedule
Financial Management
Programs
- Determine which programs are potentially most impacted by the funding freeze and determine what is needed to isolate or potentially pause.
Accountability, Transparency, and Disclosure
- Consider hiring an expert to help interpret legal needs and orders during this time. MNA’s Partners for Good are ready and waiting.
- Nonprofit Legal Compliance in an Unfriendly Political Environment
IT
- Ensure staff information is kept safe and secure.
- Prioritize identifying cybersecurity risks and develop an action plan to tighten up systems and processes.
Evaluation
- Census and Survey Data (IPUMS). With many federal data sources being removed, find census and American Community Survey microdata.
Networks and Partners
- Prepare your messaging to talk to your constituents about the issue. Emphasize that attempts to punish political opponents is an abuse of power. There are already systems in place for oversight of nonprofits. Focus on the important work of your local, service-based organizations and the impact you have in your communities. Americans Against Government Censorship has created a guide for messaging points.
- Join any of MNA’s free monthly member calls to connect with others.
- Make sure you’re plugged in with your subsector coalition group (e.g. MT Housing Coalition, MT Watershed Coordination Council). Not sure if you have one? Contact MNA!
Governance (the board)
Prioritize a generative conversation at your next board meeting. Consider asking the board to discuss:
- What do we need to know about the political situation and how it intersects with our organization and community?
- Who may be impacted most by recent EOs? Do we have a role in supporting them?
- What do we need to have in place now in case the situation changes rapidly?
Scenario & Strategic Planning
Fund Development
- Continue as normal, with a spirit of generosity for organizations that may be at risk of losing significant funding.
Advocacy & Public Policy
- Share your story AND help amplify the sector’s impact. Access MNA’s free Letter to the Editor and Op-Ed Toolkit.
- What to share with congressional delegations: Template forthcoming!
Communications
- Continue as normal AND identify opportunities to amplify the work of all nonprofits in supporting Montanans’ quality of life.
Human Resources
- Consider conducting a handbook policy review (forthcoming)
- Reflect on how to protect social movements under attack with this resource from Building MovementFinancial Management
Financial Management
Programs
- Consider what programs your community members rely on that may be at risk and what gaps might emerge. Identify adaptations to your existing programs and services to compensate, if needed.
Accountability, Transparency, and Disclosure
IT
Evaluation
- Census and Survey Data (IPUMS). With many federal data sources being removed, find census and American Community Survey microdata.
- Hone your theory of change and impact evaluation with this pre-recorded course from 2024.
Networks and Partners
- Join any of MNA’s free monthly member calls to connect with others.
- Make sure you’re plugged in with your subsector coalition group (e.g. MT Housing Coalition, MT Watershed Coordination Council). Not sure if you have one? Contact MNA!
We recommend selecting 2-5 of the above resources to review and apply with your team in the coming week. This resource will continue to be updated as the situation evolves and your needs change. Please reach out to [email protected] with additional questions and needs.
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