BOSTON —Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has launched a new webinar series aimed at helping non-profit and charitable organizations navigate a rapidly changing federal landscape under the Trump Administration.
Titled“Navigating the Changing Non-Profit Landscape,”the series kicked off on August 26 and is designed to provide up-to-date legal guidance, policy insights, and practical resources to non-profits facing uncertainty in the wake of significant federal shifts. These include proposed funding cuts and policy rollbacks related to immigration and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
“As the Trump Administration continuously attempts to illegally terminate federal funds and take other unlawful actions that impact the non-profit sector, organizations across the Commonwealth are faced with new challenges, questions, and uncertainty,” said AG Campbell in a statement. “As my office continues our work to hold the Administration accountable, I am proud to launch this webinar series to help non-profits navigate this shifting landscape and ensure they are able to continue the essential work of serving our communities.”
During the inaugural session, AG Campbell and members of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) provided legal updates and shared tools to help organizations understand and respond to federal actions that could disrupt their operations. The webinars are intended to be ongoing and responsive, reflecting evolving federal policies and their impact on local non-profit ecosystems.
The AGO emphasized that the series will also spotlight the office’s broader efforts to push back against federal overreach and ensure the rights of non-profits and the communities they serve are protected.
Non-profits across Massachusetts — many of which play a critical role in delivering social services, supporting immigrant communities, and advancing DEIA initiatives — have expressed concern over policy shifts that threaten their missions and financial stability. Campbell’s initiative is expected to serve as a vital support system during this time of heightened legal and political volatility.
More information on the webinar series, including future dates and registration details, will be made available through the AG’s website.General Resources for Non-Profits and CharitiesThe AGO’s Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division highlighted the below existing resources relevant to non-profits and charities. These and additional relevant resources are available on the AGO’s website here.
- Attorney General’s Guide for Board Members of Charitable Organizations
- Introduction to Charitable Compliance
- Attorney General Guidance on Endowments for Charities Facing Financial Challenges
- Asset Sale Guidance under General Law Chapter 180, § 8A(c)
- Asset Transfer Guidance under Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association v. Beede, 320 Mass. 601 (1947)
- Guidance on Dissolving a Charity
DEIA Guidance The AGO’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office underscored its guidance affirming the rights of workplaces and educational institutions, including non-profit organizations, to implement legally compliant diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives, despite rhetoric and actions by the federal administration seeking to undermine such efforts.
In February 2025, AG Campbell co-led a coalition of attorneys general in issuing guidance to help businesses, non-profits, and other organizations understand the viability and importance of DEIA policies and practices in creating and maintaining legally compliant and thriving workplaces.
In March 2025, AG Campbell co-led a coalition of attorneys general in issuing guidance to ensure K-12 schools, colleges, and universities across the nation understand the legality, viability, and importance of DEIA policies and practices in education.Immigration GuidanceThe AGO’s Civil Rights Division highlighted the AGO’s “Know Your Rights” guidance to help immigrants, families, and communities understand their rights and the basic legal framework for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. The AGO released the guidance in May 2025 in response to an increase in questions regarding the actions of ICE, the role of local police, and what people should know when they or others are approached by immigration officers.
Additional AGO resources related to immigration may be viewed here.
During the webinar launch, AG Campbell and her team also provided an overview of the range of lawsuits filed by the AGO to hold the current federal administration accountable for various unlawful actions, including funding cuts that have harmed non-profits, their programs, and the communities they serve. These include ongoing lawsuits to halt the unlawful termination of federal programs or withholding of essential federal funds by the Office of Management and Budget, National Institutes of Health, Department of Education, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Federal Emergency Management Agency, among others. In April 2025, AG Campbell also filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s dismantling of AmeriCorps and the termination of millions of dollars in grant funding to non-profits across the country. While these lawsuits are ongoing, AG Campbell has successfully secured multiple court orders blocking the administration’s unlawful actions as the lawsuits proceed.
A recording of today’s webinar session may be viewed here.
Future sessions of the AGO’s “Navigating the Changing Non-Profit Landscape” webinar series include:
- Organizational Restructuring, Strategic Affiliations, or Wind-down – September 25 (11am)
- Restricted Funds: Endowments and Fund Modifications – October 21 (11am)
- Advice for Smaller Volunteer-Led Organizations – November 18 (11am)
Information regarding additional future webinar sessions may be made available on the AGO’s website here.
The AGO’s Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division (NPCD) oversees non-profits, charitable organizations, and paid fundraisers in Massachusetts. The Division ensures appropriate use of charitable assets, investigates allegations and initiates enforcement actions in cases of breach of fiduciary duty, and supports transparency through publication of filed reports and forms. More information regarding NPCD, including resources for existi
