Trump 2.0 and US Philanthropy: Reflections and Actions for Canadian Philanthropic Foundations

Michele Fugiel Gartner

PFC News

3 mins read

Mar 24, 2025

In these uncertain times, when change feels relentless and clarity elusive, PFC continues to invest in research as a stabilizing force and an anchor for thoughtful action. This paper is a sector briefing: an invitation to step back from the noise, reflect on where we are, and consider how we might move forward with greater clarity and shared purpose.

Writing it was not simple. The topic is fluid, evolving almost daily. And personally, I write from the space between American roots and a Canadian home straddling two philanthropic cultures, each grappling with similar questions in distinct ways.

Recent conversations with American colleagues underscore a growing imperative: that now, more than ever, clearly articulating how philanthropy supports and strengthens civil society may be one of the most powerful expressions of leadership we can offer.

Dr. Michele Fugiel Gartner

Lead Researcher, Philanthropic Foundations Canada
Adjunct Research Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration Carleton University

Click here to read our Sector Brief

Abstract

Philanthropy is more than money—it is an expression of values, relationships, and responsibilities. As the US navigates the return of Donald Trump’s presidency, the philanthropic landscape faces profound transformation. This briefing uses a social sector and civil society lens to understand the impact of rapid policy shifts, exploring the implications of executive orders, budgetary priorities, and the devolution of social policy to state control. The research captures a sector caught between urgency and uncertainty, drawing on emerging insights from US philanthropic leaders to reveal a field in flux—where hesitation meets quiet adaptation, where funders scramble to make sense of shifting realities, and where nonprofits are forced into survival mode, reconfiguring their operations in the face of new political and financial risks.

Canadian philanthropic leaders, this is not a distant concern but one requiring both reflection and action. The final section of the briefing outlines clear steps for leaders to define their role in civil society, use data to guide decisions, provide a continuum of support, and openly share philanthropy’s impact. At its core, this briefing calls for moral citizenship of care – a reminder that in moments like these, philanthropy must decide whether to retreat, adapt, or rise to meet the moment.