RELEASE: MARYLAND NONPROFITS AND U.S. SENATORS ISSUE URGENT CALL TO ACTION: FEDERAL DISRUPTIONS THREATEN LIVES AND JUSTICE-CENTERED WORK

April 2, 2025  |  Baltimore, MD – In a powerful virtual town hall on Monday, March 31, Maryland Nonprofits convened over 300 nonprofit leaders alongside U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks to confront the escalating threats facing Maryland’s nonprofit sector.

Against a backdrop of frozen federal funding, executive orders targeting nonprofit missions, and widening systemic inequities, speakers issued a unified call to action rooted in the urgent need for transformative change.

“Every day we hear from a nonprofit whose critical services have been halted, staff laid off, and are worried about the people they serve,” said Heather Iliff, President & CEO of Maryland Nonprofits. “Nonprofits are the backbone of efforts to support self-determination, help people find jobs, put food on the table, and build resilience in an uncertain economy. These attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion are attacks on real people in our communities working for a better future that everyone deserves.”

The gathering comes as nonprofits across Maryland face severe disruptions, including the suspension of critical grants, pressure to abandon restorative equity and justice initiatives, and exclusion from funding opportunities. Many organizations serving Black, brown, immigrant, and rural communities report being pushed to the brink—economically and operationally.

“Nonprofit leaders and volunteers dedicate themselves to strengthening our communities – helping families secure housing, health care, and other vital services,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. “It’s shameful that the Trump Administration is demonizing these organizations while taking a chainsaw to the federal funding that supports them and their important work. We will continue to work in Congress and the courts to end these harmful actions that undermine support for our local communities.”

Senator Angela Alsobrooks emphasized the life-saving role of nonprofit organizations:

“You are holding the line for our communities. We know who gets hurt when these services vanish—veterans, children, women, working families. These aren’t partisan issues. They’re human rights. We’re not just fighting for dollars—we’re fighting for people’s lives.”

One such voice came from Sandy Washington, CEO of LifeStyles of Maryland, an organization providing vital outreach, support, and resources to people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and hardship in Southern Maryland. With over $1 million in federal funding currently frozen, the organization is under immense strain.

“We are unraveling,” said Washington. “Five hundred people are on our shelter waitlist, and our doors are open only because our staff is holding the ocean back with their bare hands. We are not asking for charity—we are demanding fairness.”

Just hours after the town hall, LifeStyles of Maryland received another devastating blow: a critical funding source from the CDC had also been withdrawn.

About Maryland Nonprofits
Founded in 1992, Maryland Nonprofits supports and advocates for over 1,800 member organizations, representing the 40,000+ nonprofits in Maryland. The organization provides expert consultation, advocacy, and educational resources to help nonprofits succeed.
Maryland Nonprofits is the proud home of the Standards for Excellence Institute, Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU), and the Maryland Association of Resources for Families and Youth (MARFY).Maryland Nonprofits envisions an inclusive culture where dismantling racism and oppressive systems is an ongoing part of our awareness, work, reality, and outcomes. It is committed to challenging systems of power, aiming to provide full access to resources and opportunities for those affected by oppression, ensuring they have the chance to thrive and achieve a high quality of life.
Learn more at www.marylandnonprofits.org.