Frozen Federal Funding Dictates Our Future

Partnering with Nonprofits and Cities to Challenge Federal Funding Freeze

We are joining forces with nonprofits and cities nationwide in a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s unlawful funding freeze. Staff from the Sustainability Institute of South Carolina and generous volunteers have rallied to support this cause.

Historic federal funds, earmarked for strengthening communities and addressing issues such as local air and water pollution, adapting to climate change, job creation, enhancing mobility, and supporting small farmers, are now under threat due to this freeze. The Constitution is clear: Congress controls federal spending, not the President.

Despite this, the Trump administration is unlawfully freezing funds that Congress has invested in a variety of important projects nationwide, ranging from energy-efficient housing to food access programs. We are suing the administration with the help of co-counsel from the Public Rights Project, representing 13 nonprofits and 6 cities across the nation.

The current federal funding freeze is causing confusion and uncertainty for grant recipients due to the lack of transparency from federal agencies. It remains unclear which actions are responsible for the freeze.

“This chaotic freeze of funding is destroying our client’s ability to create jobs and improve American lives. It sends a message that our government can’t be trusted.”, says Kym Meyer, SELC’s Litigation Director.

With crucial investments in climate change adaptation and economic growth at risk, the federal funding freeze is harming organizations and communities.

Impacts of the Funding Freeze

The Sustainability Institute in North Charleston, South Carolina, a nonprofit focused on advancing sustainable and resilient communities, currently has $11.4 million in frozen funds. These funds were meant for critically needed affordable housing, weatherization, and residential retrofits in a historic Black neighborhood.

The City of Nashville, Tennessee, one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country, is also hit hard with $14 million in frozen funds. Investments that were earmarked for upgrading and expanding public electric vehicle charging infrastructure and supporting a safe transit connection effort are now in jeopardy.

The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, which supports farmers in creating economically viable, environmentally sound, and community-focused farms and food systems, is facing a freeze of $59.5 million. These funds were allocated to support over 20,000 small to mid-scale underserved farmers across several states.

The CleanAIRE NC, a statewide nonprofit advocating for the health of all North Carolinians by addressing climate change and air pollution, has had $500,000 frozen. These funds were to be used for monitoring air quality and addressing health impacts in impacted communities across north Mecklenburg County.

This unlawful freeze is causing significant harm, preventing these organizations from executing critical projects, carrying out their missions, paying their employees, contractors, or sub-awardees, and serving the communities where they are implementing these congressional priorities.

We have filed a preliminary injunction demanding the unfreezing of these vital funds. Our communities, economy, and future generations depend on these funds. We must ensure that our air and water remain clean and safe for all.