Gov. Affairs | Issue 27 | March 17, 2026
Published March 17, 2026 - This content will be updated as developments unfold.
CALL TO ACTION:
JOIN TODAY! AFP Statement Opposing Proposed SAM.gov Certification Changes - AFP Global
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is urging the General Services Administration to withdraw or revise proposed changes to SAM.gov that would require nonprofits to sign vague legal certifications to access federal funding.
Key Concerns
The new certifications are complex and tied to broad executive orders, exposing nonprofits, especially small and rural ones, to potential civil and criminal penalties due to unclear compliance standards.
The threat of audits and litigation diverts resources away from essential services.
AFP warns that the resulting legal uncertainty may force organizations to stop seeking federal grants, ultimately harming veterans, seniors, and families who rely on these partnerships.
What you can do today:
AFP is calling on the nonprofit community to submit public comments (sample language provided) against the proposal before the March 30 deadline.
OTHER NEWS
Administration Threatens Combined Federal Campaign - National Council of Nonprofits
The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) sent a letter to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), opposing its decision to decommission the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Charity Portal. The CFC provides federal employees, contractors, and retirees with an opportunity to make charitable donations to nonprofits through payroll deductions. 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. NCN also sent a letter to OPM in fall 2025, when the agency previously attempted to eliminate the program, but was forced to reverse its decision.
Read:
Combined Federal Campaign Again Under Threat - The Nonprofit Times
The Combined Federal Campaign Goes Dark - The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Some Good News:
SNAP Litigation Concluded, Securing Victory for Nonprofits and Communities - National Council of Nonprofits
Washington, D.C. – The National Council of Nonprofits, the largest network of nonprofits in the nation, celebrates an important legal victory as it concludes its lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s abrupt termination of existing waivers protecting part-time workers and job seekers from losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).“Without this lawsuit, the administration’s actions would have inflicted immediate and irreparable harm on families and communities across the country—forcing families to skip meals and overwhelming nonprofit food pantries,” said Diane Yentel, President and CEO, National Council of Nonprofits. “I applaud the federal courts for providing urgently needed protections to help ensure access to vital food assistance for millions of households.”
Department of Education Backs Down on Unlawful Directive Targeting Educational Equity - ACLU
In a major win for academic freedom, the U.S. Department of Education has officially scrapped a February 2025 directive that aimed to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools and colleges. Following a government concession, a district court issued a final ruling that formally nullified the policy, meaning it is no longer in effect and cannot be enforced or brought back in the future. This decision ensures that educational institutions nationwide can continue their DEI efforts without the threat of federal interference or legal penalties.
“This ruling affirms what educators and communities have long known: celebrating the full existence of every person and sharing the truth about our history is essential,” said Sharif El-Mekki, CEO at The Center for Black Educator Development. “Today’s decision protects educators’ livelihoods and their responsibility to teach honestly. At a time when many communities are facing severe teacher shortages, this signals that teachers can enter and stay in the profession, bringing their full selves to the classroom and fostering inclusive environments that prepare students for the future.”Good news roundup! Things to make you feel hopeful about our world! - Vu Le, Nonprofit AF
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT FOR GA:
Georgia Legislative Session: Crossover Day
Crossover day was March 6 for the Georgia General Assembly. Crossover day is the last day that a bill can move from its originating chamber into the other chamber for consideration. Any bill that fails to move before crossover day is essentially dead until the next biennial legislative session, which begins in 2027 and will run through 2028. Both chambers - the House and the Senate - stayed late into the night working on legislation that will have a great impact on Georgians. To find out more information on what happened during Crossover day and what you should be tracking during the rest of legislative session please check out the following guides:
For our Arts & Entertainment folks, please keep an eye out on House Bill 1077. HB1077 would extend the sales tax exemption for sales of tickets, fees, and charges of admission to certain museums and fine arts performances or exhibitions at nonprofit facilities from 2027 to 2032. HB1077 has been referred to committee in the Senate.
The 2025-2026 Legislative Session wraps up on April 6, as the state then turns its attention to the 2026 primary and general elections.
