“Anxious.”
That’s how Phil Buchanan, president of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, described the current mood pervading the philanthropic sector following the election of Donald Trump for a second term as U.S. president.
Certainly, there are reasons for concern: Vice President-elect JD Vance called large foundations “cancers on American society,” suggesting that their assets be seized. A bill that would target nonprofits deemed “terrorist supporting” has passed the House of Representatives, raising panic over the future of civic spaces. Trump himself has pledged to punish his enemies, including those, such as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who have donated to causes that conflict with Trump’s interests.