New Emergency Funds Open As Federal Funding Tightens

Nearly eight months after the Trump administration froze foreign aid and slashed federal funding to nonprofits, many organizations focused on criminal justice, climate, and diversity initiatives are still reeling.

To help bridge the gap, foundations and philanthropic groups are expanding their support—shifting from emergency relief toward long-term strategies, including mergers, restructuring, and even winding down operations.

Orlando Watkins, vice president of programs at the Boston Foundation, told the Chronicle of Philanthropy: “We’re thinking about how to protect these institutions and help them think about how they might change their business model.”

The Chronicle is tracking a growing list of rapid-response funding opportunities:

• National Efforts: Groups like the Emergent Fund, Four Freedoms Fund, and Impact Fund are channeling millions into grassroots activism, immigration advocacy, and legal efforts supporting racial, environmental, and economic justice.

• Regional Programs: Dozens of community foundations, including the Boston Foundation, Colorado Health Foundation, and Houston Endowment, are offering grants ranging from a few thousand to millions of dollars to sustain local nonprofits and critical services.

• International Support: Funds like PSI’s Catalyst Fund and Founders Pledge’s Rapid Response Fund are stepping in to aid global health and humanitarian organizations facing U.S. funding cuts.

With deadlines approaching and demand for services rising, philanthropy is evolving from a stopgap to a lifeline, offering nonprofits both immediate relief and a path forward.

Need help with finding and applying for grants? Reach out to us today before the funding dries up.

Source:  The Chronicle of Philanthropy