Samwise Nonprofits and Charities Newsletter
Thursday, June 11, 2026
SPLC CEO Testifies at House Judiciary Hearing Alleging Payments to Extremist Informants
The Southern Poverty Law Center’s interim president and CEO Bryan Fair appeared before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on June 9 for a hearing titled “The Southern Poverty Law Center: Manufacturing Hate, Part II.” Republican lawmakers pressed Fair on allegations that the civil rights organization paid informants inside extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan—claims tied to an April 2026 federal indictment charging the SPLC with wire fraud and money laundering. Fair denied the allegations, stating the SPLC did not fund hate groups. Democratic members characterized the inquiry as politically motivated. The National Council of Nonprofits called the hearing an attempt to weaponize government against civil society organizations.
Sources: CNN
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Posts Record $96.9 Million in Grants for 2025
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation issued $96.9 million in community grants in 2025, the largest annual total in the foundation’s 110-year history, according to preliminary data. The organization also received approximately $84 million in new contributions in 2025, the second largest single year of giving in its history. Over the past decade, total gifts have risen 92 percent, philanthropic assets have grown 57 percent to reach $1.33 billion as of December 31, 2025, and total grant dollars distributed in 2025 were 62 percent higher than in 2016. Foundation officials credited increasing donor contributions and targeted community investment strategies for the record-setting performance.
Sources: Milwaukee Courier
OMB Proposes Sweeping Overhaul of Federal Grant Rules That Could Restrict Nonprofits
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget published a sweeping proposed overhaul of the Uniform Guidance—the federal rules governing grants to nonprofits, state and local governments, and other grantees—on May 29, 2026. The more than 400-page proposal would convert the guidance into binding formal regulation, restrict agency deviations, and remove existing requirements to consider women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses in contracting. The National Council of Nonprofits warned the changes may profoundly impact nonprofits delivering essential services including housing, health, education, and disaster recovery. Public comments are due July 13, 2026, at regulations.gov docket OMB–2026–0034.
Sources: National Council of Nonprofits
USPS Files 4.8 Percent Rate Increase Effective July 12 Affecting Nonprofit Mailers
The U.S. Postal Service filed a rate increase averaging 4.8 percent across First-Class Mail, Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Certified Mail, effective July 12, 2026. Nonprofit Marketing Mail rates are expected to increase proportionally in the 4–5 percent range, though nonprofit postage remains roughly 50 percent below standard commercial Marketing Mail rates. The pending increase follows a January 2026 pause that Postmaster General David Steiner secured for the first half of the year. Stephen Kearney, executive director of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, noted the pause helped organizations mail more than they would have otherwise but acknowledged the mid-year adjustment was expected.
Sources: The NonProfit Times
Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab Block SPLC Donations Amid Federal Indictment; 121 Groups Protest
Fidelity Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, and DAFgiving360—the three largest donor-advised fund sponsors in the United States—blocked account holders from making grants to the Southern Poverty Law Center following the organization’s April 2026 federal indictment on wire fraud and money laundering charges. Community foundation leaders assailed the decision, arguing the DAF sponsors were acting as unilateral arbiters of nonprofit legitimacy before any legal finding. More than 121 nonprofit organizations signed a letter protesting the block. Fidelity said organizations under investigation may be deemed not eligible for grants; the SPLC has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Sources: Chronicle of Philanthropy
Corporate Philanthropists Scale Back Racial Equity and DEI Giving Under Political Pressure
Corporate philanthropists are scaling back giving focused on racial equity, environmental justice, and gender equality in 2026, according to a survey of corporate giving leaders. Nearly one-third of respondents plan to reduce racial equality initiatives (29 percent), environmental justice (24 percent), and gender equality (22 percent). In their place, companies are increasing focus on food security (45 percent), digital inclusion (41 percent), and housing (38 percent)—areas characterized as broader and less legally contested. About 60 percent of companies are also strengthening compliance and legal oversight of philanthropy programs, reflecting what analysts described as pragmatic portfolio management in a politically constrained environment.
Sources: NonProfit PRO
Nonprofit CEO Burnout Jumps to 46 Percent as Funding Shortfalls and Demand Surge Collide
Nonprofit chief executives are experiencing burnout at sharply elevated rates in 2026, with 46 percent saying burnout is very much a concern—up from 29 percent in 2025—according to the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s State of Nonprofits 2026 report, based on surveys of 380 nonprofit leaders in February 2026. Nearly 60 percent said securing foundation grants has grown harder since January 2025, a higher rate than those reporting difficulty with federal funding at 48 percent. Approximately 73 percent reported increased demand for services since January 2025, while about 30 percent of organizations have reduced staff to cope with the pressures.
Sources: NonProfit PRO
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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