Spring Into Action: Latest Policy Updates
In This Issue: Flex Your Policy Muscle; News! Tax Reform and Charitable Giving; Share Your Experiences: NEA Grants; and Ticket Rules FAQ Issued by Federal Trade Commission
The Latest News on Charitable Giving and Nonprofit Tax Proposals
Orchestras and the wider nonprofit sector are speaking up as Congress considers tax policies that will have significant consequences for the future of charitable giving and nonprofits’ capacity to deliver on mission.
NEA Issues Grant Terminations: Speak Up Now
In an unprecedented reversal of approved federal support for the arts, late on the evening of May 2, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) sent notifications to many current grantees, terminating awards in progress, effective May 31, 2025. The agency also withdrew many offers of new FY25 grant awards that had been accepted by applicants, publicly announced by the NEA, and were awaiting final official notification to start receiving funding.
Latest News: Charitable Giving, Ticketing, and Supporting the Arts
In This Issue: Urgent: Urge Congress to Support the Charitable Act; Ticket Fraud Policy Takes Center Stage; Advancing Arts Education for All; and Speaking Up for Federal Cultural Agencies Under Threat
Urgent: Speak Up for Federal Cultural Agencies
Action is rapidly unfolding by the Administration, in the courts, and across Congress as the nation’s arts and cultural agencies continue to be threatened with restrictions and dismantling. Join us in speaking up to protect our nation’s investment in arts and culture.
Policy Landscape Resources, International Artist News, and Education Executive Order
In This Issue: Urgent: Keep Pace with the U.S. Visa Process; U.S. Department of Education Directed to Close; and Resources on NEA and Big-Picture Policy Landscape
Federal Budget, New and Renewed Targets in Executive Orders, and More
In This Issue: Congress Passes FY25 Funding; IMLS, Voice of America, and FMCS Targeted by Executive Order; Court Lifts Injunction on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Executive Orders; Supporting Music Education as Federal Debates Unfold; Check Out the League’s Latest Resources
NEA Modifies Compliance Requirements for First Step of Grant Applications
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has published further updates to the FY26 grant application process in response to recent legal action.
New Court Action as NEA Grant Deadline Nears
As the National Endowment for the Arts implements recent Executive Orders, grant applicants are newly required to certify their compliance with restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and “gender ideology.” Court action underway calls for halting implementation of these restrictions, as prospective applicants face a March 11 deadline for registering their intent to apply for the first round of FY26 grants.
Court Action Prompts NEA Updates to Assurance of Compliance
As reported in the League’s Advocacy Update earlier this week, on Friday, February 21, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction (PDF) blocking implementation of two executive orders (EO 14151, and EO 14173) attempting to terminate or change federal grants and contracts for programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.