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Deaconess Community,
In our last newsletter, we encouraged you to take the time to reflect and process the events of 2024 as we prepare for the next few years. In the months ahead, Deaconess will use this space to provide thoughtful resources, insights, and materials designed to support us all in navigating the current state of affairs in the country. We remain committed to liberation and justice while fostering a space for learning, dialogue, and action. We are not without power.
Activating in my purpose,
Bethany Johnson-Javois
President & CEO
I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own. - Audre Lorde
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How 501(c)(3)s Can Engage in Advocacy Around Executive Branch Actions:
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Stay informed: The National Council of Nonprofits has a great continuously updated chart tracking EOs that impact nonprofits and their current legal status.
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Speak out against these EOs: Criticize these EOs and the Trump administration when their actions conflict with your organization’s mission. 501(c)(3) nonprofits must remain nonpartisan, which means they cannot support or oppose candidates for office, but [President] Trump is no longer a candidate. You are free to support or oppose Trump’s actions (when he is acting in his official capacity as President and not as a candidate). You can also oppose other actions taken by his administration and executive branch agencies.
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Speak out against future harmful EOs and future funding cuts: Talk to members of the Trump administration and officials in the executive branch. Tell them about how these actions will impact your communities and share the stories of the communities you serve. This already worked once: the blowback from nonprofits and others across the country led [President] Trump and the OMB to (at least temporarily) rescind his funding freeze. Talk to your congressmembers and call them to take action and not stand for these EOs. Urge your members [all of them, no matter their party affiliation] to speak up and serve as checks to the executive branch’s power.
Under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) rules, advocacy for or against executive branch action is not lobbying. This means all of this great advocacy does not count towards the lobbying limits of 501(c)(3) public charities, and any funds you receive that prohibit lobbying (from private or public foundations, for example) can likely be used for executive branch advocacy. Even if you are talking to congressmembers, if you are asking them to speak out against executive action (not legislative action), that will not count as lobbying. Note that the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act and state and local lobbying disclosure laws may include executive branch advocacy in their lobbying definitions, which often differ from the IRC’s lobbying definitions. When they do, these lobbying disclosure laws could require you to register or report your executive branch work along with your legislative activities, but they will not likely restrict it. Read our Being a Player guide to learn more about what does and does not count as lobbying under the IRC’s definitions. For more on the Federal Lobbying Disclosure Act, check out Appendix A of “The Connection.”
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Lobby: 501(c)(3)s public charities and 501(c)(4)s can lobby! Lobby against [President] Trump’s cabinet nominees who are before the Senate. Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as Secretary of Defense and is now in charge of the military’s DEI policy (or lack thereof). Stop these nominees where they are and don’t let them through the Senate. You can also lobby the House and Senate for new laws to protect your communities. Many of [President] Trump’s EOs are easily undoing prior [President] Biden EOs because EOs do not have the same protection as a law passed through Congress. If something is a priority for you, lobby for it to be made into law that cannot be so quickly overturned.
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Judicial advocacy: [President] Trump’s funding freeze and birthright citizenship ban were stopped in their tracks due to the great work of judges. It is so important to continue to advocate to have good judges seated because they serve as a safeguard against problematic executive orders and other executive branch actions. Remember, advocating for Senators to vote for or against judicial nominees is considered lobbying that needs to be counted against a public charity’s IRS lobbying limits. You can learn more about current judicial nominees by visiting AFJ’s judicial nominee tracker.
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Work at the state level: If you have a state government that is more favorable towards your values, work with them more closely. Encourage greater state funding of nonprofits that cannot be revoked by the federal government. Work to get laws passed at the state level to protect your work. For example, [President] Trump revoked the electric vehicle goals, but California still has a requirement in place that all new cars be zero emission by 2035.
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Fund, fund, fund: If you are at a foundation, this is a great time to increase funding for organizations who may be experiencing gaps in funding due to [President] Trump’s actions — even as their services are more necessary than ever. Encourage your grantees to use your funds to advocate against EOs (a great non-lobbying use of funds). If you are at a public charity that receives government funds and are impacted, consider diversifying or changing the sources of your funds to prevent against the impact of future freezes or limits imposed by federal funding.
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Step up: The Trump administration made clear that ideals like DEI will not be prioritized and will be attacked. The federal government will not be engaging in the DEI work that they previously did, so nonprofits [foundations, corporations, and academic institutions] that do not rely on federal funds should step up to fill the gaps. AFJ’s Building the Bench work is a great starting place to get involved with seating diverse and representative judges. DEI still needs to exist, because systemic racism and sexism will always exist whether the current administration believes it or not.
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Stand strong: Nonprofits, especially ones who do not need federal funding, are the last line of defense. Continue your great work and support your colleagues who may be struggling. Be loud, stand strong, and reach out to our Bolder Advocacy team if you have questions regarding your nonprofit’s ability to engage in executive branch and legislative advocacy. [Board members of nonprofits, stand strong in partnership. Do not add to the uncertainty, be steadfast, courageous and use your power for good.]
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ICYMI: 2025 Grant Informational Session | |
In case you missed the informational session where we shared insights into our grantmaking portfolio, provided an overview of our strategic approach, highlighted successful proposals, and shared ways to engage with Deaconess through all of the Foundation's offerings, a video of the slide presentation is below and additional information may be found here, including FAQs. | |
Now Accepting Grant Proposals | |
GET OUT THE VOTE: MARCH 4, 2025 | |
St. Louis City residents, make sure your voice is heard in the upcoming municipal election! Find a polling place and view a sample ballot here. | |
EVENTS & PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES | |
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February 20: Black History Month: Joy, Arts, Community, Missouri History Museum, 5 - 8 p.m.
February 20: Black History Month Film Series, Saint Louis Public Library - Central Library, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
February 20: Pathways to Economic Inclusion: Exploring the Intersection of Tax, Health, and Family Well-Being, Grantmakers in Health, 2 - 3 p.m. Panelists include Deaconess Foundation Vice President, Strategic Impact & Innovation Constance Harper.
February 21: Drop-in Collection Tour—Pendulum: Stories of Liberation, Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 - 2 p.m.
February 22: Bread and Roses “Strike! How St. Louis United for Change in 1877, Saint Louis Public Library - Schlafly Library, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
February 22: Drop-in Collection Tour—Pendulum: Stories of Liberation, Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 - 2 p.m.
February 22: League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis Trivia Night, 8 p.m.
February 25: Introduction to The COFI Way, Community Organizing and Family Issues, 1 - 3 p.m.
February 27: Black History Month Film Series, Saint Louis Public Library - Central Library, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
February 28: CLE | Providing Expungement Pro Bono Representation, ArchCity Defenders, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
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Resources & Opportunities
Community Health Commission Advisory Boards
Community Health Commission of Missouri is looking for passionate individuals to join their Advisory Boards! Whether you’re a patient, a healthcare provider, or an engaged community member, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact on health outcomes across Missouri with the Community Health Commission. Learn more and apply here.
ArchCity Defenders Fellowship
ArchCity Defenders invites applications for sponsorship of a fellow for Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, Soros and/or similar programs for the fellowships beginning in September 2025. They are open to proposals from dedicated law students or eligible attorneys who are committed to racial and social justice legal work in St. Louis. Learn more here.
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Teen Mental Health First Aid (Vitendo 4 Africa)
Teen Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based program designed for adolescents in grades 10-12 (ages 14-18). It teaches teens how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their friends and peers. This training incorporates a culturally responsive approach to ensure inclusivity and relevance for diverse communities. The program recognizes that cultural values, traditions, and stigmas can significantly influence how mental health is perceived and addressed. Learn more here.
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