How to Navigate Shifts in Funding for Arts and Education

Arts and education nonprofits are no strangers to navigating change. Just five years ago, we faced unprecedented times with the Covid-19 pandemic. Now new obstacles are altering the flow of the funding and support yet again. Staying on top of the news and engaging in arts advocacy can feel like a full-time job. 

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the groups, newsletters, and organizations that are keeping us informed through the changes. We hope these resources will help you feel a little less overwhelmed as you make informed decisions about your organization.

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What's going on? From Executive Orders to shifting priorities

Many theaters, museums, and arts education programs were still recovering from the impact of pandemic lockdowns when President Trump took office for his second term. However you feel about the current presidential administration, one thing is clear — it’s changing the landscape for Arts and Education nonprofits. Executive orders and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have sought to defund programs, cancel previously awarded grants, and eliminate agencies that support the arts.

Meanwhile, consumer confidence is declining as inflation rises. As donor priorities shift, so do their donations. The practical result is that many organizations are uncertain whether they will receive the funding they expect. Many wonder how to stay informed and get involved.

A good place to start may be the roundtable discussion from the Chronicle of Philanthropy in which reporters share what they’ve heard from nonprofit leaders. The Council of Nonprofits also published a chart of Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits. For additional, ongoing insights, check out the resources below.

Arts advocacy newsletters worth following

Theatre Communications Group regularly updates their news page with press releases on topics impacting theaters. This national organization also offers networking and knowledge-building opportunities, grants and scholarships, and industry events. They partner with the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics and advocate on the Federal level on behalf of theatres. 

National Council of Nonprofits offers a free biweekly “Nonprofit Champion” newsletter that updates readers on local, state, and federal policy advocacy issues that affect nonprofits. You can see their most recent issues or subscribe on their newsletter archive page. 

‍The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council has a page with a running list of updates on how organizations in Pennsylvania and across the country are being impacted by the executive office. Updates appear when news happens, not on a schedule, there’s no fluff to wade through. Each update includes links to news stories and relevant press releases. For folks in different states, it's worth searching out your local arts council — they may have a similar resource!

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Organizations to connect with

Americans for the Arts is an organization that advocates for the value of art. They engage in advocacy, publish research, and connect industry professionals. You can follow them on Instagram, Facebook, or X or download their guide to how the current executive orders are impacting the arts. 

National Association for Music Education supports music educators and engages in advocacy. They maintain a frequently updated blog that covers questions relevant to music education and how the changing landscape may affect it. 

Worth mentioning twice, the National Council of Nonprofits has a full page of their website dedicated to exploring the impacts of the executive orders on nonprofits. Find their Chart of Executive Orders, checklists for nonprofits, and official statements and press releases.

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How to get involved: Advocacy and engagement

If you feel called to advocate but don’t know where to start, these organizations offer opportunities and guides to getting started. 

Association of Performing Arts Professionals has an advocacy page that offers resources to support advocacy efforts including a 2025 calendar of advocacy opportunities. You’ll also find guidance on relevant topics like navigating new grant guidelines.

The American Alliance of Museums publishes updates and resources on their advocacy alert page. This includes a guide for what to do if your federal grant or contract is terminated. The AAM brings together more than 35,000 museums and museum professionals from museums of all types. 

‍Americans for the Arts has long been involved in arts advocacy. Their advocate page includes a guide on executive orders and arts impact, arts action fund alerts, and an arts education action kit as well as a ways to take action tab.

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Facts worth knowing

• Arts and culture industries contributed $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2023, that’s about 4.2% of total GDP. 
• The budget for the National Endowment for the Arts represented just 0.003% of the federal budget in 2023.
• Low-income students who participate in the arts are more than 2x as likely as their peers to graduate college.
• Pre-pandemic, about 60% of revenue for nonprofit arts organizations was earned income. Only 10% came from government funding.

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We're here for you

As a small business that serves arts and culture organizations, we know that these are challenging times. In talks with our customers and others in the industry, we have consistently been impressed by the creativity and resilience of these organizations. Your mission remains our mission: To connect as many people as possible to lifelong learning and we will continue to put together resources to help support the work you're doing in your communities.

Learn more about Why Arts Education Matters for Children, Adults, and Communities or explore The Power of the Arts to Positively Affect Health.