FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations
On Monday, March 3, The National Council of Nonprofits, an association representing more than 33,000 nonprofit organizations around the country, held a virtual press conference in advance of President Trump’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025. The press conference highlighted the disastrous impact to be felt by vulnerable populations nationwide in light of attacks on nonprofit organizations by the Trump Administration. A recording of today’s press conference can be found here.
The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) assembled a panel to discuss the Trump administration’s unprecedented attack on nonprofit organizations and their reputation. The panel included NCN President and CEO Diane Yentel; Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association; Laurie B. Wolf, President & CEO of The Foraker Group; and Jennifer Hutchins, Executive Director of the Maine Association of Nonprofits. Speakers shared insights on the onslaught of attacks directed at nonprofits in the past few weeks, and the ramifications that will affect people and communities nationwide.
"Nonprofit organizations do essential, often live-saving work in communities throughout the country –in red states and blue states, in rural, urban and suburban areas alike,” said National Council of Nonprofits President and CEO Diane Yentel. “Vilifying nonprofits and cutting federal funding will harm Americans nationwide in real and measurable ways. That’s why the National Council of Nonprofits and our partners are fighting back, in the courts and beyond, to stop the administration's reckless attempts to starve nonprofits of the funding they need to serve our communities."
“The nation has been in a state of disarray since Jan. 20, with a whirlwind of Executive Orders and other actions interrupting funding authorized by Congress and censoring the spread of key health information. This information is essential for the public to make critical life and health decisions, and the funding interruptions have undermined essential health services that keep people healthy,” said Georges C. Benjamin, M.D. Executive Director of American Public Health Association. “We don’t know what President Trump will talk about in the State of the Union, but his administration’s actions so far are harmful to the health and wellbeing of Americans.”
“While the situation is changing daily, it is certain that fear, confusion, distraction, and chaos are causing nonprofits, tribes and local governments in Alaska to question how to move forward with staffing, service delivery, and construction projects,” President and CEO of The Foraker Group Laurie B. Wolf said. “The threat of or reality of the loss of federal funding of Alaska-based services will be felt by every Alaskan, regardless of how they voted.”
“Just like in Alaska and every state across the country, nonprofits in Maine provide essential and high-quality community-based services, and we have been hearing from organizations in every corner of our state doing a wide range of work that are extremely concerned about the impact the Executive Actions will have on their critical work,” Executive Director of the Maine Association of Nonprofits Jennifer Hutchins said. “Organizations across our state dedicate themselves to the public good, reduce the burdens of government, and give up profits, privacy, and politics in pursuit of their missions and the communities they serve.”
###
APHA is fighting back against threats to public health. See what we’re doing.
###
The American Public Health Association champions optimal, equitable health and well-being for all. With our broad-based member community and 150-year perspective, we influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at
www.apha.org.
###
About National Council of Nonprofits
Communities thrive when nonprofits succeed. For more than 30 years, the National Council of Nonprofits has mobilized the largest network of nonprofits in the United States to achieve transformative results. We champion, connect, and inform nonprofits across the country. Join our collective efforts to ensure a connected and powerful nonprofit community equipped to champion the public good.
About The Foraker Group
The Foraker Group offers a wide range of services, educational programs, and public policy initiatives that help assure the success of Alaska’s nonprofit sector.
About Maine Association of Nonprofits
The Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) empowers people with purpose—people and organizations at the forefront of the issues and opportunities that will determine Maine’s future prosperity. As a leading advocate and resource, they ensure that Maine nonprofits are adapting, thriving, and contributing in a fast-changing world.