January 29, 2025
Dear Partners and Community Members,
I am writing to you today to talk about recent shifts in social and political climate that have created uncertainty for nonprofits, schools, businesses and community organizations that serve kids and families in our community. Amid executive orders and a call for federal funding to be frozen (this is pending), we know that kids and families, and organizations serving them, are being affected in how they navigate their day-to-day and any strategic or mission related shifts or priorities moving forward.
The Achieve Brown County backbone team is deeply committed to supporting collective impact and all our direct service Partners in our community. We understand that times of uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Our team is dedicated to listening to you, educating ourselves and working together to advocate for the social and political conditions that allow kids and families in our community to thrive. Our focus remains the same, building a Brown County where every young person has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their race, income, zip code or circumstance.
Our Collective Impact Partnership represents hope, resilience and the power of place-based work. While current social and political changes may affect how we work, they also reinforce the importance of coming together and working together in our local community to ensure that cradle-to-career systems are equitable for all young people.
We stand with you during this time of uncertainty, and we invite you to share your thoughts, questions and concerns with us so that we can better support you and ensure that our backbone team remains responsive to emerging needs of our Partners.
Below are some resources that have emerged among networks our Collective Impact Partnership is part of. Please use these and share them.
The White House Memorandum
The White House directed all federal departments and agencies to “temporarily pause” all federal financial assistance at 5:00 p.m. on 1/28/25. Moments before this directive was to take effect a judge temporarily blocked it through 2/3/25. This could affect everything from aid to nonprofits, universities, small business loans and state and local government grants. View the White House Memorandum here and stay attuned to news sources you trust for the latest developments.
National Council of Nonprofits
The National Council of Nonprofits has produced a document which outlines specific Executive Orders which affect nonprofits. This comprehensive document continues to be updated and can help you better understand the current landscape and inform next steps. Additionally, the National Council of Nonprofits is working to track the impacts of Executive Orders on the nonprofit sector. View Executive Orders Affecting Nonprofits document here | Share effects of Executive Orders on your nonprofit here
Webinar Executive Order on DEI:
What Nonprofits and Philanthropies Need to Know
Nonprofit and Philanthropy sectors are coming together on Friday, January 31 from Noon-1:00 p.m. CST to understand what nonprofit and philanthropy organizations need to know on the Executive Order on DEI. The webinar is being put on by Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, National Council of Nonprofits, and United Philanthropy Forum sponsored by the Wisconsin Philanthropy Network. Register for the webinar here
Your Representatives
The following are links to the webpages of Brown County’s congressional delegation, which include online contact forms. You are invited to reach out to one or all of these individuals:
Now, more than ever, we must lean into the power of community and collective impact. We are stronger together.
Thank you for your dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to our community. Together, we will continue to strive for a future where all young people can thrive.
In partnership,
Sarah Beckman
Executive Director, Achieve Brown County backbone team