Following is the latest update on the impending government shutdown from the National Council of Nonprofits.
Take Action
The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.
Nonprofits can take action in two ways:
  • Register for NCN’s National Webinar NCN is hosting a national webinar on Monday, October 6th at 3:00 pm Eastern to share more about what nonprofits need to know about the government shutdown and current federal grant landscape.
  • Share Your Story Use NCN’s storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
  • Contact Your Members of Congress Use NCN’s email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.
Hill Updates
Congress is no closer to finding a compromise. The Senate is scheduled to vote today – and has scheduled a second vote on Wednesday after the shutdown has begun – on the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open through November 21. Both measures are expected to fail, largely on party line votes. Both sides blame the other for the forthcoming shutdown.
The White House has doubled down on its threat to permanently fire federal workers in the event of a shutdown. President Trump warned that such firings would be “irreversible.”
Immediate Impacts on Funding
Some federal programs will be harmed shortly after the shutdown begins, including:
  • Women, Infants and Children (WIC). WIC, a signature nutrition program that serves 6.5 million low-income moms and babies, could run out within days if the government shuts down.
  • FEMA Disaster Relief Fund. While FEMA staff are considered “essential” and will remain working, the main funding source for FEMA, the Disaster Relief Fund, is running dangerously low and needs congressional approval for additional funds.
Mandatory programs – including Social Security, Medicare benefits, and VA medical care – are not directly impacted by the shutdown, but associated services could stop during a shutdown.
NCN Resources
  • NCN issued a press statement today, warning about the negative impact a shutdown will have on nonprofits and their ability to provide essential services to the American people.
  • NCN created a one-pager to help nonprofits understand how to prepare for a government shutdown.