Recent federal budget cuts and canceled contracts have hit nonprofits hard, especially those relying on government funding to support their work. Many organizations now face tough choices, not just about the resources needed to run programs but also how they present themselves to the public. With talk of certain words being flagged in funding decisions, should nonprofits be asking themselves if they should remove terms related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from their websites to avoid losing funding?

How Federal Budget Cuts Affect Nonprofit Funding

Government funding is a lifeline for many nonprofits, especially those focused on social justice, healthcare, and education. Recent federal budget cuts have hit DEI programs, public health efforts, and community services the hardest. Some grants and contracts have been pulled because of the language used in applications or public materials.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) recently shut down its southern African bureau due to major U.S. foreign aid cuts under President Trump’s “America First” policy, slashing over 90% of USAID contracts and $58 billion in global assistance.

Similarly, San Antonio’s UT Health and UTSA face potential NIH funding cuts due to a proposed 15% cap on reimbursements for infrastructure and staffing. Texas Biomedical Research Institute expects to lose $13 million in the first year, while UT Health could lose up to $35 million.

The freeze on federal grants and loans sent shockwaves through many organizations, like those providing services to victims of domestic violence. Leaders of these nonprofits have expressed concern about being caught up in efforts to block federal funds from groups supporting diversity and inclusion, recognizing transgender and nonbinary folks, aiding undocumented immigrants, and more.

Censorship or Survival? How Some Nonprofits are Reacting

The Hotline, a national talk and text service for individuals experiencing domestic violence, recently removed a page titled “Abuse in LGBTQ+ Communities.” This page acknowledged that LGBTQ+ individuals face abuse at similar rates and in comparable ways to heterosexual people; they also encounter barriers to support due to biases against their gender expression or sexuality. Additionally, resources from Love is Respect, a project of The Hotline focused on intimate-partner violence among young people, are no longer available on the site.

Many nonprofits have quickly moved to strip their websites down to basic hotline information, while others listed their sites as “down for maintenance.”

“Some groups are making an effort to kind of change the way they talk about their services and the populations they serve,” said Audacia Ray, interim executive director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.“ Our organization literally has the words gay and lesbian in our IRS name — we’re not fooling anybody. And obscuring what we do and who we serve doesn’t help those services stay accessible.” The official name of the organization, which supports LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected victims of violence, is the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project Inc.

As nonprofits grapple with these challenges, some are reconsidering how they present their work and their missions. Is changing the words you use a necessary safeguard, or could it come with unintended consequences? Before making any adjustments, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of altering your organization’s message.

Is Changing Your Language the Answer to Federal Budget Cuts?

First, remember that past versions of your content are saved online in archives like the Wayback Machine. If your organization publicly supports equity and inclusion, removing those words now won’t erase that history. Funders can still find your past statements, so simply rewording things may not prevent scrutiny.

Beyond funding concerns, changing your language can impact your online presence. Many donors, volunteers, and community members find nonprofits through search engines. If you remove key terms, your website may become less visible to those looking for organizations aligned with these values. Adjusting language should balance funding considerations and your nonprofit’s ability to remain discoverable to those who support your mission.

Additionally, editing your site is only one piece of the puzzle. What about your mission statements, social media posts, past reports, and even past grant applications? They all still reflect your values. Changing language without a real shift in mission might confuse supporters and funders. Such inconsistencies can lead to a loss of trust, as stakeholders may perceive the organization as lacking authenticity or transparency.

It also raises an ethical question: Is financial security worth altering the principles that define your work?

Turning Budget Cuts Into an Opportunity for Advocacy

Instead of stepping back in fear of losing funding, nonprofits can use this moment to rally support, educate their communities, and push for policies that protect critical programs. Your organization can make a difference by standing firm in your mission and making thoughtful adjustments, even in uncertain times.

Steps to Protect Your Nonprofit’s Funding and Mission

If your nonprofit is at risk of losing funding, here are some steps to consider:

• Review Grant Rules: Read funding requirements carefully. If certain language is discouraged, see if your work conflicts with new restrictions or if you can phrase things differently without changing your mission.
• Reframe, But Stay True to Your Mission: Use alternative wording that still reflects your values. For example, instead of “systemic inequity,” you might say “barriers to opportunity.”
• Diversify Funding Sources: Relying too heavily on federal money is risky. To stay financially stable, build relationships with private donors, corporate partnerships, and crowdfunding platforms.
• Maintain Visibility and SEO Impact: Ensure language changes do not harm searchability or donor engagement by optimizing content with alternative but relevant terms.
• Advocate for Change: If budget cuts hurt your mission, speak up. Working with other nonprofits can help counter harmful funding policies.

Messaging vs. Mission: Where Should Nonprofits Draw the Line?

At the core of this issue is a big question: Does changing your language weaken your mission? Removing those words may not fool funders if your nonprofit truly works for equity, inclusion, and social change. Worse, it could damage trust with the communities you serve.

Thoughtful communication is essential, but nonprofits must consider the risks of adjusting their messaging to fit shifting political trends. In some cases, small wording changes may help. In others, it may lead to self-censorship that harms your long-term impact. Each organization must decide where to draw the line between financial security and staying true to its mission.