Aggregated and updated by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) and LegalCORPS, the legal resources provided on this page address specific challenges nonprofits face in today’s political and legal landscape — especially as organizations navigate increased scrutiny and shifting federal policies.
With growing uncertainty around issues including presidential executive orders and subsequent legal battles, immigration rulings, legal compliance requirements, and federal grants and contracts, it’s essential that nonprofits have access to tools and resources to help understand their legal rights and responsibilities.
The resources below are designed to help nonprofits stay compliant, protect their missions, and continue serving their communities with confidence and clarity.
Stay Updated!
MCN and LegalCORPS will be updating this page regularly, but you are also encouraged to subscribe to the Nonprofit Advocate e-newsletter for notifications of new resources and updates.
Latest News
This section will be updated as events unfold.
- October 20, 2025: Federal Funding Disruptions (Minnesota Management and Budget, October 2025): Minnesota state government’s Federal Funds Implementation Team is monitoring changes in the federal landscape that impact funding in Minnesota. These tracking documents contain information on programs impacted by the federal shutdown as well as temporarily disrupted, permanently cancelled, and court-impacted access to federal grants at Minnesota state agencies. The shutdown impact tracker includes current service impacts and does not reflect anticipated future impacts of the federal shutdown. The disruptions and cancellations are funds that flow through state government entities and do not reflect the totality of disrupted funds across Minnesota. The tracking documents are updated every Tuesday and Friday and are intended for informational use. Note that this data only includes direct federal funding to the state, and not to nonprofits or other entities; some federal funding to the state is used for contracts with nonprofits to provide community services.
- September 25, 2025: Government Shutdown Resource for Nonprofits (National Council of Nonprofits, September 25, 2025): Preparing now for a possible government shutdown can help your organization weather the uncertainty of looming spending bill decisions. Nonprofits should take action to protect their organizations and the people they serve from the negative impacts caused by a government shutdown.
- September 16, 2025: Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits (National Council of Nonprofits, September 16, 2025): After his January 20 inauguration, President Trump signed dozens of Executive Orders (EOs) covering a broad range of issues, including diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; government grants and contracts; civic engagement; immigration; and certain nonprofit subsectors. Some of the EOs won’t take effect immediately, and many are expected to be immediately challenged in court. This chart outlines some of the EOs that may affect nonprofits directly or indirectly, and includes notes related to implication and status of each.
- August 14, 2025: Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding on Unlawful Discrimination What You Need to Know (Legal Defense Fund and others, August 2025): A Fact Sheet that addresses the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding on Unlawful Discrimination.”
- August 14, 2025: Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding on Unlawful Discrimination:
What You Need to Know (Legal Defense Fund and others, August 2025): A Fact Sheet that addresses the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding on Unlawful Discrimination.” - July 21, 2025: Understanding the Proposed IRS Settlement Regarding the Johnson Amendment and Churches’ Political Speech Rights (Lathrop GPM)
- July 7, 2025: The Tax and Budget Bill Becomes Law: What Nonprofits Should Know and Do (Your Part Time Controller, LLC)
Federal Grants & Contracts
A variety of streams of federal funding to nonprofits have been disrupted since January 20, 2025. The following resources are intended to help nonprofits understand what they should do if they find their funding has been threatened or cancelled, and what resources are available to them.
- A Nonprofit Checklist: Conducting a Risk Assessment for Federal Funding (National Council of Nonprofits, April 3, 2025): This resource provides initial steps that nonprofits can engage in to conduct a risk assessment as the Administration targets federal grants and contracts for termination.
- A Nonprofit Checklist: What to do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated | National Council of Nonprofits (National Council of Nonprofits, March 11, 2025): This resource provides initial steps that nonprofits should engage in when they learn that their federal grant or contract is terminated by a federal agency.
- Federal Funding Freeze Memo Withdrawn: What to do now? (CLA, January 30, 2025): This resource articulates proactive financial steps to consider as questions linger.
- How to Prepare: An Update on the Federal Funding Freeze (Abdo, January 31, 2025): This resource offers proactive steps to mitigate financial distress.
- Grant Practice Shorts: Title VI and Nondiscrimination Requirements in Federal Grants (Feldesman, January 6, 2025)
- Federal Funding Disruptions (Minnesota Management and Budget, October 2025): Minnesota state government’s Federal Funds Implementation Team is monitoring changes in the federal landscape that impact funding in Minnesota. The tracking documents are updated every Tuesday and Friday and are intended for informational use.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Two executive orders issued by the President in January 2025 have unclearly declared DEI work as illegal (it’s not), casting fear and uncertainty among many nonprofits and their ability to continue mission-advancing work. The following resources are intended to help provide clarity and direction for nonprofits in assessing their risk and opportunities in light of DEI commitments.
- Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding on Unlawful Discrimination What You Need to Know (Legal Defense Fund and others, August 2025): A Fact Sheet that addresses the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding on Unlawful Discrimination.”
- Maintaining DEI Commitments: Legal Considerations in Today’s Climate (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, April 2025): This article clarifies DEI terminology and current law, outlining the current legal landscape, and providing practical considerations for nonprofits, in light of executive orders that send mixed signals.
- Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Protecting and Advancing DEI Pro Bono Initiative (Updates ongoing): The Protecting and Advancing DEI Pro Bono Initiative, a project of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, was created to provide legal advice to entities concerned about their ongoing or future efforts to support DEI efforts and/or racial diversity in the wake of the recent negative U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the sister case against Harvard College.
- Tax-Exemption-Implications-Of-Illegal-Dei.pdf (Lathrop GPM, April 11, 2025): This article provides an overview of the implications of the language in recent DEI-related Executive Orders and what it means for nonprofits engaged in or funding racial, social and environmental justice programs and initiatives.
- MN LEAD (Legal Education, Advocacy & Defense of Racial Justice): MN LEAD equips Minnesota-based nonprofits and funders with the tools, training, and strategic guidance needed to navigate legal challenges to racial justice work. Organizations who connect with MN LEAD gain access to training opportunities and a robust and supportive community to help continue race-conscious programming and racial justice work with clarity and confidence.
- U.S. Supreme Court Says “Reverse Discrimination” Is Equally Unlawful – Clarifies Standard for Majority-Group Plaintiffs in Title VII Claims (Lathrop GPM, June 5, 2025): This article provides an overview of the recent ruling related to equal employment opportunity, anti-discrimination and DEI policies and materials, establishing that these need to reflect the equal treatment standard and avoid frameworks that create favoritism or unequal burdens that exclude individuals based on a characteristic, status or belief protected by Title VII.
- President Trump’s Executive Orders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Explained (NACCP Legal Defense Fund, January 2025)
- Second, READI Resources Terms and Conditions | ABFE | A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities which can go in also at the end of the Philanthropy section, with this description:
- Explore our Racial Equity Advancement and Defense Initiative (READI) Resource Bank (ABFE, A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities): The READI Resource Bank is intended to be a repository of information, tools, and resources to help those who are committed to advancing racial equity and racial justice, primarily in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, understand the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling and navigate the new legal and regulatory environments unfolding in many states around the country.
- Attorney General Ellison issues guidance for businesses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility employment initiatives in the workplace (Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, February 13, 2025): Minnesota Attorney General Ellison provides a description of the legal response of 17 attorneys general to the Trump Administration Executive Order that addresses “illegal DEI and DEIA policies.”
Executive Orders
- Chart of Executive Orders (National Council of Nonprofits, updated frequently)
- An executive order explainer: Why the courts will have the final say on Trump’s anti-DEI actions (Brookings Institution, February 27, 2025)
- Latest news from the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office: The MN AG’s Office has been involved in a number of lawsuits and legal actions challenging executive overreach at the federal level.
- Myth v. Reality: Executive Branch Lacks Authority to Target Nonprofit Organizations (National Council of Nonprofits, April 21, 2025): This resource explains why the executive branch does not have the authority to unilaterally limit what types of organizations are eligible for 501(c)(3) status. Eligibility for charitable nonprofit status is laid out in federal law under the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Any changes to the types of organizations that are eligible for 501(c)(3) status must be enacted by Congress.
Legal Compliance Basics
This section includes key federal and state regulations organizations must follow to maintain their tax-exempt status. It covers topics including required filings (such as IRS Form 990), and adherence to charitable solicitation laws. This section also emphasizes the importance of clear recordkeeping and internal controls to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure transparency.
- Maintaining Nonprofit Compliance – Best Practices (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, updated April 2025): A new guide to ensure your nonprofit follows all state and federal compliance laws to ensure your organization remains in good standing.
- Minnesota CLE Rule of Law Series – Navigating Emerging Threats to Nonprofits (PDF) (Lathrop GPM, May 13, 2025): This resource offers an overview of the legal landscape for nonprofit organizations, and strategies to assess and manage risks.
- Nonprofits Under Fire: How the IRS Can – and Cannot – Revoke Federal Tax-Exempt Status (Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC, April 28, 2025)
- Nonprofit Legal Compliance in an Unfriendly Political Environment (Nonprofit Quarterly, January 20, 2025): This resource provides a list of compliance matters to prepare to address a threat.
- 12 Urgent Financial Action Steps for Nonprofits: A 2025 Checklist (Nonprofit Financial Commons, 2025)
Lobbying & Nonprofit Advocacy
Nonprofits employ 13 percent of Minnesota’s workforce and play a vital role in strengthening our communities and economy. As key partners in shaping public policy, nonprofits are legally permitted to engage in lobbying and advocacy efforts. In a May 2025 survey by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, 46 percent of respondents said they plan to increase their advocacy work over the next year. The following tools are designed to support nonprofits in educating policymakers and advancing meaningful reforms.
- Advocacy of Federal Grantees Targeted in New White House Memo (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, September 10, 2025): Laws around nonprofit lobbying remain unchanged despite recent White House memo.
- Advocacy Check-Up (Boulder Advocacy) : This resource helps you assess your overall compliance with federal and state advocacy-related tracking and reporting requirements, and identify opportunities to build your advocacy capacity.
- Nonprofit Coalitions (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits) : To help amplify collective nonprofit voices in advocacy, MCN has compiled a list of coalitions working across mission areas. Please email MCN to request access.
- Advocacy Causes and Organizations (New Jersey Center for Nonprofits) : This resource is a list of national organizations to connect and strengthen alliances about the issues you care about.
- Find Your Elected Officials (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits)
- Helpful Tips for Contacting Legislators (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits): Legislators value and need contact with constituents and others who have expertise on an issue.
Immigration-related Resources
- The Impact of U.S. Immigration Enforcement Developments: A Mid-year Check-In (Lathrop GPM, August 14, 2025): This summary examines the impacts of the significant and rapidly evolving changes in federal immigration policy and enforcement. Legislative, regulatory and executive actions implemented this year are swiftly reshaping compliance expectations, enforcement, workforce dynamics and risk exposure for employers across many industries.
- What Nonprofit Entities Should Know About Immigration Site Visits (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, March 27, 2025): This webinar recording features attorneys presenting on actions nonprofits can take now to prepare themselves for an unannounced visit from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
- Guidance regarding federal immigration policy for organizations maintaining sensitive locations (Minnesota State Attorney General, May 2, 2025): This resource answers questions around: who does and does not enforce federal immigration law, the rules that apply to immigration enforcement in public and non-public spaces at sensitive locations, the difference between judicial and administrative warrants, protocols an organization may establish for interacting with ICE, and an organization’s rights and responsibilities if ICE is conducting immigration enforcement.
- ICE Raid Resources (National Homelessness Law Center, April 2025) (LinkedIn): This resource offers guidance for homeless service providers on what to do before, during, and after a raid by ICE.
- Free download: Red Cards (Immigrant Legal Resource Center): All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC’s red cards give examples of how people can exercise these rights, available in multiple languages.
- Are Your I-9s Fine? How To Prepare for an I-9 Audit and Protect Your Organization Through Compliance Best Practices (Frederickson, May 8, 2025): This links to a free webinar (registration required to view) that includes these topics: I-9 audits and trends under the current administration; I-9 requirements and common mistakes; and how to conduct an effective internal I-9 audit.
Philanthropy & Grantmakers
Foundation funding nationally accounts for about ten percent of all federal funding of the nonprofit sector. While significant cuts to federal funding through grants and safety net programs like Medicaid cannot be wholly filled by philanthropy, we are listing a resource for Foundations and the 2025 Minnesota Grants Directory. There are some foundations finding ways to support nonprofit partners at this time.
- Supporting Our Communities: Key Strategies for Navigating Federal Funding Threats (Geo, January 28, 2025): This resource articulates critical steps grantmakers can take now to protect grantees.
- MCN’s 2025 Minnesota Grants Directory: The Minnesota Grants Directory is designed to help grantseekers by providing an overview of the state’s most active foundations, giving programs, and state agencies. The directory includes basic information on over 100 community foundations, corporate giving programs and private foundations.
Other Resources for Navigating Uncertainty
The following sections include resources that might be useful for your organization as it secures its infrastructure and builds its responsiveness to various outcomes.
Scenario Planning
- Nonprofit Toolkit: Resources for organizations facing government investigations (Protect Democracy, Jul. 24, 2025): “This toolkit offers best practices for responding to politicized government investigations.”
- Strategic Sunsetting (Propel Nonprofits, undated): This resource can help an organization evaluate a decision to dissolve, and take thoughtful and methodical steps to execute that decision.
- Strategy Triage Tool (Center for Community Investment) (Marian Urquila, 2025): This resource can help you quickly assess and prioritize your work during times of significant change or disruption.
- Navigating Rapid Policy Change: Let’s Plan Together (See What I Mean, February 2025): A tool to analyze potential consequences of new policies, evaluate risks and opportunities, and determine the best course of action.
- Weathering the Storms: Building Social Justice Resilience Against Opposition Attacks (Road Map Consulting): Guidance on preparing for and beating back opposition attacks.
- How to Simplify and Streamline During a Crisis (Nonprofit Risk Management Center): When you face an existential threat or mission-disrupting event.
- Nonprofit Scenario Planning (The Bridgespan Group, June 10, 2022): Guide to build scenario plans to successfully navigate uncertainty of local, national, or even global events.
- Emergency Succession Plan Template (Propel Nonprofits): Craft an emergency response plan should your Executive Director become ill or temporarily unable to perform their duties.
- True Business Planning for Nonprofit (Video) (Nonprofit Financial Commons, January 28, 2025): The distinction between business planning, financial planning, and strategic planning; how to present risks to board members; frameworks to analyze your model and explain to stakeholders.
- Resiliency Tactics During Financial Crisis: The Nonprofit Resiliency Framework (Wiley, May 2021): A research study establishing the Nonprofit Resiliency Framework mapping tactics in five areas: financial, human resources, outreach, program and services, and management and leadership.
- Risk Assessment Template (Tangelo Tree Consulting): Identify risks; rate likelihood of occurrence; rate potential impact; identity top risks for further discussion; plan to mitigate risk.
Financial Modeling
- Strong Nonprofits Toolkit (Wallace Foundation, 2009): Resources to strengthen nonprofit financial management.
- 12 Urgent Financial Action Steps for Nonprofits: A 2025 Checklist (Nonprofit Financial Commons): An action checklist designed to build your organization’s agility under turbulent conditions.
- Finance Fundamentals for Nonprofits (Nonprofit Finance Fund): A collection of tools and resources to help you navigate change and opportunity.
- Navigating Through Times of Financial Crisis (Nonprofit Finance Fund): Assess your nonprofit’s potential financial risks and create a plan to respond to them.
- What to Watch and Do as Your Nonprofit Enters a Chaotic 2025 (Video) (Nonprofit Financial Commons): Nonprofit leaders and experts examine key financial trends that nonprofits need to navigate an uncertain landscape.
- Scenario Budget Planning Template (Propel Nonprofits): Think through different possibilities and consider the impact on your programs and organization.
- Cash Flow Management (Propel Nonprofits): Management strategies to help your nonprofit prevent cash flow shortages.
- Cash Flow Template (Propel Nonprofits): Template to help you understand the ebbs and flows of your cash.
- Cash Flow Management: A Tactical Review for Nonprofits of All Sizes (Nonprofit Financial Commons) (Video): Tools to use for projections and forecasts, and tactics to manage cash after you have identified a potential problem.
- Understanding Nonprofit Markets (Nonprofit Financial Commons): Framework through which leaders can segment the market, develop a shared understanding of relevant forces, and prioritize the most pressing market-based challenges they face.
- Do You Have the “Right Revenue?” (Spectrum Nonprofit Services): Explore “right” revenue as a way of analyzing and deepening your understanding of the connection between financial resources and mission impact.
Board Support & Oversight
- Boards in Times of Uncertainty (Propel Nonprofits) (September 4, 2025) (Video): Recorded webinar.
- Governing in a Time of Crisis (Propel Nonprofits, 2024) Ten actions for boards.
- Revisiting the Financial Oversight Role of Nonprofit Boards (Nonprofit Financial Commons) (Video) (April 17, 2024): The real financial governance challenges of nonprofit boards and how they can function more effectively through redirecting efforts and redefining duties.
- Beyond Financial Oversight: Expanding the Board’s Role in the Pursuit of Sustainability (Nonprofit Quarterly) (January 6, 2020): This article stresses that sustainability and engagement with the work is essential for nonprofit boards as they approach the future.
- The Board’s Financial Leadership (Nonprofit Financial Commons) (March 9, 2015) (Video): Recorded webinar to help nonprofit boards understand their fiscal leadership, including fiduciary duties, committees, audit, legal forms, and internal controls.
The The Minnesota Nonprofit Legal Resource Library is an initiative of LegalCORPS and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and is made possible by supporters of the Minnesota Council on Foundations’ Legal Pooled Fund. Funding for this project currently runs through June 30, 2027.
Legal Disclaimer: All resources, including but not limited to presentations, documents, primers and webpages (Third Party Content), are provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Third-Party Content may appear or may be accessible, however, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, The Black Collective Foundation and LegalCORPS does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or currency of the Third-Party Content. You should not rely on any Third-Party Content to evaluate any specific legal issues, without seeking professional counsel.