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Combined Federal Campaign Threats
The Office of Personnel Management sent a message last week to the more than 4,400 charitable nonprofits that participate in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) that it will end the program as soon as March 4. If this occurs, it would have a significant, harmful impact on nonprofits. The Trump Administration previously attempted to end the CFC in 2025, but it was forced to reverse its decision after weeks of effective advocacy by National Council of Nonprofits, United Way Worldwide, and many other nonprofits.
The CFC is the country’s largest workplace giving program. Since it was created in the 1960s, the CFC has helped raise nearly $9 billion for nonprofits, and last year alone, the CFC raised $66 million. If ending the CFC would harm your organization, please reach out to your members of Congress and urge them to protect the CFC. If you need resources to help with this advocacy, please reach out to Leah.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Lawsuit Update
The National Council of Nonprofits filed a lawsuit late last year challenging the U.S. Department of Education's final rule that unlawfully restricts which charitable nonprofits qualify as eligible employers under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. In the past week, five groups have filed amicus curiae briefs in the lawsuit. An amicus brief is a legal document filed by non-parties with a strong interest in the case, providing courts with supplemental information, expertise, or legal arguments.
Nearly 100 legal aid organizations submitted an amicus brief arguing that without PSLF, most lawyers would not be able to begin a career in civil legal aid, ultimately harming America's most vulnerable individuals who rely on legal aid organizations to navigate the complex legal system.
A coalition of local governments and municipal entities submitted an amicus brief, arguing that the final rule would threaten the workforce of local government, putting effective local governance at risk and, in turn, harming millions of Americans who rely on local government services. For example, without PSLF, local government would struggle to hire and retain teachers, undermining the ability of public schools to educate children.
Two civil rights organizations, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and American Civil Liberties Union, submitted an amicus brief, making the case why the final rule is susceptible to arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement against nonprofits that work on racial justice issues, and it will disproportionately harm Black workers who are heavily represented in public service jobs.
Several LGBTQ equality organizations filed an amicus brief, arguing that the Department of Education does not have the legal authority to restrict nonprofit employers in the PSLF program, and that the final rule violates the constitutional guarantee of Equal Protection because it was motivated, in part, by animus towards transgender people.
Several environmental organizations filed an amicus brief, arguing that the final rule punishes organizations that the Administration disagrees with. They argue that the final rule is a clear affront to the First Amendment, and that by giving the Education Secretary broad authority, it would enable the Administration to punish organizations that oppose its priorities.
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