U.S. President Donald Trump made remarks on Thursday that his administration will be investigating the tax-exempt status of groups that contribute to climate projects. Though details have yet to emerge, such a move could have vast implications for U.S.-based philanthropies and nonprofits whose programs target climate change in particular.
Multiple sources told Devex that they have heard speculation about executive orders coming on Monday or Tuesday that could revoke the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status of foundations that support programming on climate and immigration, and even target foundations that give to organizations overseas.
Though unconfirmed, some organizations are already bracing themselves, with one Gates Foundation-affiliated charity removing “climate” and “climate change” from its programming and moving its money out of the U.S. Another organization is considering delaying the launch of its climate initiative. These foundations spoke on condition of anonymity.
About the author
Jesse Chase-Lubitz
Jesse Chase-Lubitz covers climate change and multilateral development banks for Devex. She previously worked at Nature Magazine, where she received a Pulitzer grant for an investigation into land reclamation. She has written for outlets such as Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, and The Japan Times, among others. Jesse holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics.
