Keeping Up With Politics: Why Policy Matters for Grant-Writing

The 24-hours news cycle ensures that every politically conscious person stays up to date on the latest in politics. Following the Presidency, the President's Cabinet, Congress, the Supreme Court, and state, county, and local governments' rapidly changing policies is a challenge. While the government is constantly making moves, our attention becomes fractured. This can lead people to develop an apathy to cope with the amount of information that is constantly inundating our phones, computers, and television screens.

For my readers who are in the nonprofit space, take a moment to breathe deeply before what you are about to read. Now is NOT the time for you to look away.

United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. (2018), where the federal budget is passed during legislative sessions.

One of the essential criteria of maintaining a tax-exempt status as a 501(c)3 is political impartiality. While you likely have an opinion about a campaign, the nonprofit organization you work for or donate to cannot "participate in or intervene in" campaigns for political candidates. It is critically important that nonprofit organizations remain nonpartisan and clear of political divisiveness in order to serve the community.

It is only natural that some charitable organizations' missions align with one party, and vice versa. Though, politicians' decisions--from budget allocations to approving bills--will deeply impact an organization regardless of which end of the political spectrum represents their mission more.

Nonprofits can and often do lobby for and against legislation that impacts their work.

As an example, an organization concerned with environmental protection and curbing climate change will find it prudent to pay close attention to wildlife, agricultural, land management, and development legislation introduced, debated and passed. It directly affects the mission and therefore the entire existence of the nonprofit. WUSF Public media reflected on the environmental protections passed during Florida's 2024 legislative session, wherein they directly tied the environmental advocacy that encouraged the passing of these bills to Florida-based nonprofits.

Crystal River Archaeological State Park (2025), funded by Florida State legislature through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

But even organizations that are not directly tied to advocacy experience the impact of political decisions in their daily operations. Despite the inability to advocate for candidates of office, many not-for-profits receive national, state, and local government funding. State grants councils are appointed by the governor, who brings with them a political agenda aligned with their party views. These grants councils can determine which

In March 2025, Florida state senators brought forth Florida's Senate Bill 1524 presents a new set of challenges to state funded institutions. Many organizations in the state have filed their paperwork seeking grants appropriated by the state legislature. SB 1524 states that a newly appointed grant council will prioritize funding for organizations that support America250, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Nonprofits supporting veterans will also be prioritized by the new committee.

Legislation and governors' orders are often incredibly beneficial to a nonprofit organizations' mission and reach. National, state, and local support can be the difference between cutting or expanding community programming, building or selling, and hiring or firing. Most nonprofit organizations run with tight margins, and unexpected political changes can create be destructive to third sector jobs.

The Florida Senate committed to allocating $50 million of its provisional budget towards addressing food insecurity in the state. Some of the state's biggest nonprofits feeding underserved communities, like Second Harvest Food Bank, were hit with funding cuts following major federal budget trimming in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The state response allowed for these organizations to continue to serve their communities, though not without some disruptions. Second Harvest Food Bank was informed that a food delivery containing 900,000 meals was cancelled due to budgetary cuts by the federal government. Many local food banks have looked to the community to donate financially or non-perishable items like

Local government also plays an essential role in funding. County and city governments can use funds received through sales tax to support organizations that generate tourism to the area. Museums, botanical gardens, and aquariums are just some examples of nonprofit attractions that can be affected by decisions by local officials to redirect funding.

Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, FL (2018), an organization which receives a share of Sarasota's Tourist Development Tax.

At every level of government, it is inarguable that policies allow nonprofits to exist, while simultaneously threatening their existence. In a delicate balance, it is absolutely essential to pay attention to new proposals that could impact your line of work, especially as in an industry that aims to improve their local community.

Pay attention, but don't let the headlines debilitate you into inaction. Hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. Take care of yourself between the bad news.

"$4.5M to Spray Alcoholic Rats with Bobcat Urine" YouTube video by Hank Green (November 13, 2024). Science influencer Hank Green explains why some absurd-sounding experiments receive funding from the U.S. government.