Information on Executive Orders

To assist Kentucky nonprofits in staying up to date on the sweeping changes resulting from the White House Executive Orders (EOs), we’ve curated a resource page with the expectation of ongoing updates. Please sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest news. KNN commits to keeping you informed with the latest and most accurate information. 

Key Resources

Latest Updates

A Message from KNN’s CEO

Nonprofit colleagues and champions,

You are not alone. Your voice, your advocacy, your stories matter. Things are moving rapidly and remain confusing. And still, nonprofits are a powerful force for good and are stronger when we stand together, united.

The work of our nonprofit sector is vital to thriving Kentucky communities. KNN’s goal is to mitigate any negative impact on the operations of Kentucky’s 13,587 charitable nonprofits and our 162,862 employees working to serve you, me, and our neighbors.

We urge you to stand with KNN and one another and to lean into your mission, your values, and the collective strength of our nonprofit sector. We are with you!

Danielle Clore, CEO

Events and Recordings

Coming up: 

Recordings: 

Take Action Now

Nonprofits directly or indirectly impacted by the EOs and/or experiencing a funding pause or review of your grant:

  • Communicate with Washington: We urge (as do members of our federal delegation) your nonprofit to communicate the impact with our federal delegation. Click for contact info for Kentucky’s Federal Delegation. We highly recommend you call and email Congressional offices. Emails alone aren’t always the most effective way to reach your member of Congress. We suggest you also share with the White House (call 202-456-1111, email comments@whitehouse.gov). Note that the President’s administration only takes calls Tuesday through Thursday 11am – 3pm ET.  

  • Sample Subject: Federal Funding Pause or Cuts to (Organization) Will Hurt the People of KY and the Economy
  • Be specific about how any funding freezes or cuts will impact jobs at your organization (i.e., how many jobs are funded federally?)
  • Explain how proposed frozen funds or cuts support people in their districts
  • If you are able to, identify the timeline for federal cash on hand (i.e, when will you run out of cash if you are unable to draw down funds?)
  • Emphasize the confusion and chaos of this moment, and that even if this decision is reversed, or found to be illegal, damage is already occurring  – this entire situation is impacting your organization’s ability to accomplish your mission.
  • Ask how they plan to protect the most vulnerable Kentuckians, and indirectly, the nonprofits that serve them.
  • Ask how they are collecting information from constituents about the impact of a grants pause.
  • Refer to this Checklist: A Nonprofit Checklist: What to do when your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated
  • If your organization is being impacted by these freezes and cuts, you can reach out to Lawyers for Good Government’s L4GG Fund Protection Clinic. The clinic aims to ensure that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) grantees and sub awardees are protected from threats to their funds.
  • Engage your people: Share the message you send to Washington with those you serve, your staff, your donors, volunteers, board, etc. and ask them to communicate with our federal delegation also. Washington needs to hear from the people impacted by the EOs.
  • Share your story with KNN: Help KNN understand the issues your organization is facing so we can best advocate for our sector. Click here.

All nonprofits:

  • Share your support for this letter with Congress: On February 19, more than 4,500 charitable organizations from all 50 states (included 129 KY nonprofits), sent an Open Letter to Members of the 119th Congress urging them to keep front of mind the reality that charitable nonprofits are essential to the US economy and society, including as significant employers, taxpayers, and partners with government at all levels. Thank you to those standing with KNN! We urge you to email your member of Congress to share or reiterate your support for the letter.
  • Ask your nonprofit partners receiving federal funds directly or through state/local pass-through funds how you can help – we are in this together!
  • JOIN KNN! You need a strong state association of nonprofits and KNN needs you – resources and advocacy don’t happen without members and donors. If you are not one of our 1100 members across Kentucky, click here to stand with us as a KNN member. Click here to make a gift to invest in KNN’s work.
  • Sign up to receive the latest updates from KNN’s e-newsletter. We will keep you updated on changes that affect your organization and the Kentuckians you serve.

Other Federal Impacts

Other Resources

This page does not contain legal advice. We encourage you to consult legal counsel.