Ellen Riddleberger
Ellen Riddleberger is a Senior Vice President at McAllister & Quinn and leader of the nonprofit practice. Ellen manages an impressive array of clients including nonprofit, higher education, and advocacy organizations, with a variety of interests including human and social services, health, law enforcement/justice, conservation, and arts and culture. She specializes in providing clients with strategic government affairs analysis and advocacy services as well as assistance with fund development through Federal grants and foundations.
Will the new Administration’s budget impact nonprofit federal funding?
For small and large nonprofits, the changes in Washington, DC, directly impact current and future program funding. The President’s recent budget request probably added to your list of questions. As with any budget request submitted to Congress in any Presidential Administration, this is far from the last word on the FY 2026 discretionary budget.
This year’s proposal includes notable federal funding cuts. Don’t Panic
Each year, the President’s budget outlines the Administration’s priorities; it’s essentially a wish list for Congress. While the President’s budget usually makes headlines and sparks debate, it’s important to remember that Congress holds the “power of the purse” and makes the final decisions on federal spending, as the U.S. Constitution specifies. This year’s proposal includes notable cuts to key programs that nonprofits like yours rely on – in community development, health, education, and research. These dramatic numbers may seem scary, but we urge you not to panic. The President’s budget is the first step in a long, complex funding process that requires bipartisan support in Congress. Ultimately, the final budget will look very different after months of negotiation and compromise.
What you can do to make sure your voice is heard
You will be hearing from your national associations and other advocacy groups in the coming weeks about these potential threats to funding. These alerts are part of the process and help drive awareness, but keep in mind that nothing is final yet. That said, you should engage with your Members of Congress and make your voice heard.
About McAllister & Quinn: McAllister & Quinn is a leading Federal grants consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations secure funding for impactful projects and initiatives. Based in Washington, DC, McAllister & Quinn’s unique approach has helped clients secure over $16 billion in competitive grant funding from across a broad spectrum of federal agencies, foundations, and other sources.