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    Since taking office on January 20, President Donald Trump has issued an unprecedented number of executive orders and other administrative actions that touch on almost every part of the federal government. These directives will also impact state and local governments, companies, nonprofit organizations and individuals across the country, though in what ways and to what degree is not yet clear.

    These actions have created funding uncertainty and other challenges for the land trust community, and the Land Trust Alliance is committed to advocating for land trusts and private land conservation, to creating opportunities for land trusts to come together, and to providing its members with tools, resources and information to help them navigate through these changes and adapt to new future processes.

    Congressional action

    On July 3, the U.S. House voted on final passage of the budget reconciliation bill. The president signed this sweeping legislation into law on July 4. The bill, which did not change from the version passed by the Senate on July 2, covers a lot of ground. Below are the provisions that will most directly impact the work of land trusts.

    Here’s the good news for the land trust community:

    • The bill secures the remaining Inflation Reduction Act funding that was directed to Farm Bill conservation programs and would result in a 20-25% increase in baseline funding for the conservation title for the next Farm Bill and beyond.

    • The bill makes permanent the ability for taxpayers who do not itemize to claim up to $1,000 for individuals ($2,000 for married couples) for charitable donations.

    • In other good news, the bill does not include:

      • A provision that would have increased the tax on net investment of certain private foundations.

      • Language mandating the sale of certain public lands.

      • Language rescinding the remaining Inflation Reduction Act funding for the Forest Legacy Program.

      • Language that would have undermined conservation easements.

    Unfortunately, the bill also includes language that would limit and discourage charitable donations made by corporations and high-income taxpayers, potentially leaving nonprofit organizations with fewer resources to serve their communities.

    With the reconciliation bill soon to be signed into law, Congress will shift its focus to funding the federal government beyond September 30. The administration’s budget request calls for drastic cuts across the federal government, and our community needs to contact congressional offices to underscore the importance of the federal programs that advance voluntary private land conservation.

    Fiscal Year 2026 budget process

    Posted May 5

    On May 2, the president released his “skinny” budget — an outline of the administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget request that is expected to be released in the next week or so.

    The fiscal year 2026 budget proposal calls for $163 billion — or nearly 23% of non-defense spending — in federal cuts and the elimination of key programs across the federal government while providing a 13% increase for the Department of Defense and a nearly 65% increase for the Department of Homeland Security.

    See details on whitehouse.gov

    Please note that this is only the first step in the very long process of funding the federal government. Each year, the administration submits a “skinny” budget followed by the full budget request, which Congress may or may not consider as it works on bills to fund the federal government.

    The proposed cuts included in this request, underscore the importance of our community regularly educating decision-makers at all levels of government about the important work of land trusts and the programs that advance voluntary private land conservation. You can find information about how to educate decision-makers about your great work or contact us at policy@lta.org.

    Summary

    Executive orders and directives

    Actions that may affect land trusts

    Updated May 13

    See also the summary of secretarial orders and actions.

    Federal funding

    Contracts, grants and federal spending

    Regulations and energy

    Federal workforce

    Nonprofit organizations

    Diversity, equity and inclusion

    Other

    The Impacts of the Recent Executive Orders on Nonprofits

    A regularly updated collection of information and resources from the National Council of Nonprofits, including a summary chart which outlines some of the EOs that may affect nonprofits directly or indirectly.