As the focus for policy and advocacy efforts continues to shift, ArtsFund is collecting resources from community organizations, nonprofit and arts and cultural leaders, and governmental agencies.
This list is in no way comprehensive. If you have participated in webinars, information sessions, or other resource-sharing opportunities that you found valuable, we would love to include them. Please email these to Advocacy & Programs Manager Jordan Lusink at jordan.lusink@artsfund.org. (Note: We are only able to share generally available resources and/or those from free opportunities.)
While federal changes may affect the arts in Washington, we also want to provide some context. In FY24, the NEA’s total funding to Washington State was $3,108,400, with ArtsWA receiving $1.4M, amounting to 10.6% of their budget. We know that every dollar counts, and that the losses that organizations are facing are very real, but we also know that these figures are a small piece of the overall arts and culture funding puzzle. ArtsFund itself does not rely on any federal dollars, and will continue to serve, advocate, and support our community in navigating these shifts.
Resources
*Resources are arranged reverse chronologically.*
Continuously Updated
National Council of Nonprofits
Chart of Executive Orders – The National Council of Nonprofits has been tracking executive orders and actions, updates to those, and their potential impacts. This resources is regularly updated.
A Nonprofit Checklist: What to Do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated – While the full steps that should be taken, and the rules that apply, will be specific to your grant or contract and the specific federal agency that provided the funding, this checklist from the National Council of Nonprofits will provide a strong basis for next steps and understanding your rights.
Community Resources on the New Presidential Administrations Actions – Grantmakers in the Arts has been tracking news, funds, and relevant webinars related to actions from the new administration. This resource is regularly updated.
Holland & Knight – What Recipients Need to Know if a Federal Grant is Terminated by the Government
During a rapid-response webinar with Americans for the Arts, they shared this link as a resource for guidance around NEA grant terminations.
Date Specific
5.20.25 National Council of Nonprofits Webinar: Unprecedented Cancellations of Federal Grants: What Nonprofits Should Do to Prepare and Respond
This informational webinar covered how grants are being cancelled, steps grantees should take to prepare for the risk of cancellation, and considerations for organizations after cancellation, as well as actions for advocating for nonprofit organizations.
A Nonprofit Checklist: Conducting a Risk Assessment for Federal Funding | Nonprofits Under Threat: What’s in the House Tax Bill and How You Can Help | Protecting Nonprofits in Tax Reconciliation (One-pager recommendations for Congress on tax policy) | Communications Guide
5.7.25 Americans for the Arts: Protect the NEA
Americans for the Arts shares resources and action items related to the attacks on the NEA.
5.7.25 Americans for the Arts Webinar: Emergency Guidance on NEA Grant Cancellations
AFTA hosted a webinar sharing urgent guidance regarding NEA cancellations of grants, featuring insight and comments from Jay Dick (AFTA), Erin Harkey (AFTA), Nina Ozlu Tunceli (AFTA/AAF), Tooshar Swain (AFTA), Mikka Gee Conway (ArtConverge), Laura Zabel (Springboard), Manna Cawaling (Inspire Washington), and Ed Zakreski (Round House Theatre).
5.7.25 Film Festival Alliance Guidance for NEA Grantees Facing Termination or Withdrawal of Funds
During a rapid-response webinar with Americans for the Arts, one of the panelists shared this document as a resource from the Film Festival Alliance, which includes a link to this sample appeal template.
4.8.25 GrantStation Webinar: Navigating Federal Funding Uncertainty
This webinar was presented by Alice Ruhnke, President of Education and Outreach at GrantStation. Alice shared information about the timeline of recent federal funding actions and impacts, updates on lawsuits related to those actions, and response from funders. Following that background, Alice presented strategies for navigating the state of uncertainty. GrantStation offers nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies the opportunity to identify potential funding sources for their programs or projects as well as resources to mentor these organizations through the grantseeking process.
4.4.25 Americans for the Arts Office Hours with Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Humanities Alliance (NHA)
In this biweekly segment of the AFTA Office Hours, their Advocacy team hosted two important conversations related to executive actions, impact, and responses. First, Nina Ozlu Tunceli (AFTA) and Erica Lauren Ortiz (TCG) talked with Vera Eidelman (ACLU of Rhode Island) regarding the Rhode Island Latina Arts…Theatre Communications Group v. National Endowment for the Arts case. After that, Tooshar Swain (AFTA), Kevin Maher (ALA), and Alexandra Klein (NHA) discussed the latest executive orders impacting the Institute for Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Recording | Rhode Island Latino Arts v. NEA Decision
3.17.25 National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) Webinar: The Legal Landscape and Path Ahead for Nonprofits and Philanthropy
This webinar featured information and resources from NCN President & CEO Diane Yentel; Democracy Forward President & CEO Skye Perryman; President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Damon Hewitt; Civil Society and Leadership Program Officer at the David & Lucile Packard Foundation Jean Ries; and Robin Hood’s Chief Public Policy Officer Jason Cone.
Recording | Slides | General FAQs on Executive Actions Impacting Nonprofits | Democracy Protection Network | Democracy Security Project | Beacon | Access Now | Vision Change Win | Investing in Racial Equity through Charitable Grants and Services
3.11.25 Americans for the Arts Community Conversation: Arts Advocacy
This Community Conversation consisted mostly of breakout rooms, with members of the AFTA Government Affairs team and Advocacy District Captains sharing learnings from fly-in meetings with Capitol Hill representatives the week before.
Notes with FAQs | NASAA Narrative & Message Guide | American Alliance for Museums (AAM) Advocacy Guide | Educating for American Democracy | AFTA Public Opinion Poll | Arts Action Fund Action Center | Volunteer Lawyers for Arts | Measuring Student Engagement in Arts-Rich Schools Poll
2.21.25 Americans for the Arts Webinar: Office Hours
This webinar featured a conversation with Mary Anne Carter, President Trump’s political appointee and Senior Advisor at the NEA, as well as a Q&A session with attendees.
Recording | Executive Orders and Impacts FAQs |
2.18.25 NEA Webinar: FY26 Grants for Arts Projects Guidelines
The National Endowment for the Arts hosted a webinar to discuss changes to the grant guidelines.
1.31.25 Common Great Webinar: Rapid Response: Mobilizing Your Community to Bridge the Federal Funding Freeze
Common Great helps nonprofits build forward-looking development and communications practices. They discussed strategies for navigating the potential federal funding freeze but also provided some evergreen resources for mobilizing your community. Speakers included Common Great Founder & CEO Ariel Glassman sharing tips for strategy, finance, leadership, and community; Kirsten Rogers shared tips for communications and marketing; Caroline Rensel shared tips for grassroots and emergency fundraising; and Renate Raymond shared thoughts on major and leadership giving.
1.22.25 Americans for the Arts Webinar: Intro to New 119th Congress
Americans for the Arts and Arts Action Fund hosted a webinar to discuss the new Congress, their policy priorities, and get insight into arts advocacy strategies for 2025. The link includes a recording of the webinar, along with several downloadable resources and details about the presenters.