The Massachusetts AG’s Workplace is urging nonprofits to proceed to concentrate on DEI work regardless of “unlawful” funding reduce threats from the Trump administration, recommending that organizations be “strategic” with their language.
Lawyer Common Andrea Campbell and her workplace have launched a webinar collection geared in the direction of nonprofits dealing with modifications in federal coverage and funding, kicking off with an preliminary discussion board on Tuesday.
Since President Trump took workplace in January, the AG’s workplace has filed 32 lawsuits towards the administration. Of these, no less than 18 have been instantly associated to funding disruptions, mentioned Katherine Dirks, chief state trial counsel.
“In all of them,” she mentioned, “the role of our office is to do as much as we possibly can to check executive overreach.”
The AG’s workplace has tried to battle again towards the Trump administration’s makes an attempt to ban DEI at workplaces and academic establishments, together with nonprofits. In February and March, Campbell issued steering to companies and colleges to know such insurance policies.
Republicans argue that DEI applications “waste taxpayer dollars” and sow “harmful ideology,” whereas Democrats contend the initiatives are in response to systemic racism.
Angela Clark, the AG’s chief of organizational range, fairness and inclusion, instructed nonprofits on Tuesday that they need to proceed to concentrate on “engaging in diversity, equity and inclusion work.”
A approach to skirt across the threats, she mentioned, is being “strategic with your federal grant language.”
“You should not expect to receive any federal grants if it specifically focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility work,” Clark mentioned. “We know that, but there are definitely ways to use other resources to do this work.”
“If you’re applying for a federal grant to train teachers,” she added, “it might not be the right moment to highlight the fact that you’re specifically focusing on diverse teaching recruitments.”
Clark additionally mentioned nonprofits ought to think about diversifying their funding sources, reminiscent of pursuing native, state and personal grants.
“We know there is some fear out there,” she mentioned.
Harvard and MIT have responded to Trump’s threats, with the Cambridge establishments renaming and partially or totally dissolving their DEI places of work.
The AG’s workplace acquired a 12%, or $9 million, funds improve for fiscal 12 months 2026, bringing its complete allocation to $83 million, to help its battle towards the Trump administration.
“As the Trump Administration continuously attempts to illegally terminate federal funds and take other unlawful actions that impact the non-profit sector,” Campbell mentioned in an announcement, “organizations across the Commonwealth are faced with new challenges, questions, and uncertainty.”
