Why We’re Suing Donald Trump
The nonprofit federal funding freeze is already harming Americans
By Diane Yentel
Hi Meidas Mighty,
My name is Diane Yentel, and I am the President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. I wanted to provide you with all the details on why we decided to sue Donald Trump.
I had been at my job for three weeks when I knew we needed to sue the president.
I joined the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN), an organization dedicated to setting up the nation’s charitable nonprofits to succeed, as its new president and CEO on January 7. Three weeks later, Elon Musk, DOGE, and the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a directive to, within 24 hours, pause all federal government payments to nonprofits. I worked throughout the night with partners at Democracy Forward and others for NCN to be ready by the next morning to file a lawsuit and stop this reckless, potentially catastrophic action by the administration.
Now, in addition to spending my days identifying ways nonprofits can collaborate, innovate and thrive, I’m hearing from thousands of nonprofits nationwide about how the federal funding freeze and other actions by the administration are affecting them.
Here’s just a sampling of what they report:
In Pocatello, Idaho, the Bannock Youth Foundation would need to halt its rapid rehousing program for homeless youth due to the federal funding ban.
The Council on Aging in Henderson County, North Carolina, which has been helping senior citizens as the area recovers from Hurricane Helene, expects it will need to reduce the number of elderly residents receiving food from Meals on Wheels at a time when the program’s waitlist is growing.
Without federal funding, the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County, New York, would need to shut down its 24-hour domestic violence hotline and the ability to provide a safe dwelling for those who are escaping abusive situations.
The Fluvanna-Louisa Housing Foundation, located roughly an hour outside Richmond, Virginia, would not be able to build more low-income housing or provide access to handicapped residents to obtain ramps that give them access to their houses.
Rhode Island’s Jane Addams Resource Corporation, in Providence, would have to shut down its job training program.
Each of these nonprofits — and more than a million more across the country — provide vital support to Americans. The 12.3 million people who work at these organizations excel at doing more with less. Every day, they seem to pull rabbits out of hats to serve the community members who rely on them.
But all the creativity and energy in the world can’t make up for a complete loss of federal funding. That’s why we’re suing the federal government over its reckless and lawless funding freeze.
And, it’s why I’m asking you to call your Member of Congress and urge them to protect the essential and often lifesaving work of nonprofit organizations throughout the country.
One more note: If you’re a member of the MeidasTouch community, I’m sure you’re calling the Congressional switchboard ((202) 224-3121) regularly. It’s easy to lose hope or feel like your voice doesn’t matter. But our collective voices — the voice of this community — echo off each other and do make a difference.
Thank you all.
Diane Yentel
President and CEO
National Council of Nonprofits
Diane Yentel is the President & CEO of National Council of Nonprofits. A nationally renowned nonprofit leader, Diane spent 24 years working for and with nonprofit organizations and another five years in the public sector, as a Peace Corps volunteer and an official in the federal government.
The death tolls of 47 may be higher than the pandemic death tolls of 45.
I d like to see a class action suit for All Americans !!