Climate non-profits anticipate fight with Trump over tax status

Non-profit organizations in the U.S. focusing on climate change are preparing for potential action by the Trump administration to revoke their tax-exempt status in the coming days. These groups have been sharing memos outlining rumored executive actions, such as altering IRS regulations to exclude climate change as a charitable topic and restricting U.S. grants for international projects.

The concern arose following President Trump’s remarks targeting Harvard University’s charitable status, which could set a precedent for other 501(c)3 organizations. Discussions among non-profit leaders, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Public Citizen, have been held to strategize for a possible executive action.

Despite fears, political law firm Sandler Reiff reassured non-profits that the President cannot unilaterally revoke their tax-exempt status. Trump’s recent actions against universities and environmental regulations have raised apprehensions among environmental groups and philanthropies supporting climate initiatives.

While foundations like the MacArthur Foundation are gearing up to defend their charitable giving, legal experts, including Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig, suggest that any attempt to alter the tax status of non-profit organizations would face legal challenges.