KNN CEO Danielle Clore stressed that the changes are happening fast, and the data could be different day to day. She noted the report may not include names for all sources.
"The other thing you'll notice is some of the things I share today we have attributed. Some things are anonymous. There is significant fear among some nonprofits to share things publicly," she warned at the beginning of her talk.
Clore said grant freezes, the recent rescission package, and executive orders are driving cuts and confusion among nonprofit groups — leading to layoffs and a reshaping of the scope of programs on offer.
She said a political element has also been injected into federal grant reviews.
"There will now be a political appointee at each agency that is reviewing the process to ensure that they are consistent with the national interest, prohibiting federal grants for any purpose that is inconsistent with the administration's priorities, and then the discretion to terminate a grant for any reason," Clore said. "It's my understanding from our members that that has always been language in their agreements, however... basically 'if the administration disagrees' is a new tweak to that language."
Clore also referenced the White House push to repeal nonprofit nonpartisanship, known as the Johnson Amendment, potentially clearing the way for nonprofits to engage in partisan politics and, in her words, "undermine public trust."
Private donations are also taking a hit as individuals and groups are facing their own rising costs. As for the city's ability to make up for lost nonprofit funding, Councilwoman Whitney Baxter said that won't likely be possible because "we're also in the same boat."