Overview
Since January 2025, nonprofits nationwide have faced unprecedented challenges that have caused many organizations to wonder whether they can stay mission-focused while remaining in compliance with federal law, and whether they will still be able to receive government funding. For some nonprofits, these threats feel existential as some organization leaders think they must wind down and dissolve. For many others, this uncertain landscape may push nonprofit leaders to revisit organizational priorities in ways that are not mission-aligned. How, as legal counsel, do we help nonprofits navigate this new terrain with clarity, resilience, and courage?
To help the nonprofits you serve navigate these challenges with confidence, join nonprofit legal experts to learn about the current state of federal law governing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and the resulting changes to federal contract certifications required from nonprofits that receive federal funding.
This session will address the impact of Executive Orders and other federal communications related to nonprofit programming, government funding, and federal grant contracts, and cover important points and perspectives nonprofits should consider in this developing legal landscape. This course covers the basics and beyond to provide clear guidance for lawyers who play a critical role in helping nonprofits organizations prepare for and mitigate risk as they continue to fulfill their important missions.
Recorded in April 2026.
Topics Covered
- Today’s DEI Legal Landscape & the Unique Challenges it Presents for Nonprofits
In his February 2026 State of the Union address, President Trump declared DEI dead (stating “We ended DEI in America”); however, the legal issues are very much alive. It’s a challenging time for nonprofits as they grapple with how to carry out their missions and honor donor intent in the wake of Executive Orders, recent court decisions, litigation settlements, messaging from the U.S. Attorney General, and the freezing of federal funding for projects and initiatives not aligned with this Administration’s values. State Attorneys General have something to say, too, and so it’s no wonder that nonprofit organizations are confused and concerned about the legality of their DEI initiatives and how to navigate these unique challenges. Attend this session to learn how to help the nonprofit organizations you serve assess and mitigate their risks, understand what’s really at stake, and understand what they can and cannot do in terms of DEI.
- Navigating Federal Contracting Certifications
For nonprofits with programming that is not squarely aligned with the current Administration’s values and priorities, it is a rough road ahead, especially if these organizations rely on federal and other government funding to sustain operations and carry out their missions. Nonprofit organizations that accept federal funding must sign detailed grant/contract agreements, and these agreements require certification by the organization that its use of the funding will not violate existing federal law. These certifications have taken on new significance with changes to the DEI landscape, and the Administration has made clear that it will enforce the federal False Claims Act in unprecedented ways related to contract certification, This could have serious consequences for nonprofit organizations that sign contracts for federal funding - organizations must be especially careful to ensure that they understand what they are signing, and certifying to, when accepting federal and other government funds. Sign up for this session if you’re a lawyer on a nonprofit board or assisting a nonprofit in a pro bono or paid capacity so that you are informed about the issues and risks regarding federal contracting and better positioned to help the nonprofits you serve.
Part of the Nonprofit Law Series
For lawyers who want to learn more about how to help nonprofits meet the moment: check out the rest of our CLE series covering today’s hottest issues impacting nonprofits →
CREDIT HOURS
60-Minute States
Eligible for 3 hours
50-Minute States
Eligible for 3.6 hours
Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.
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Faculty
Diane Stoeberl, Esq.
Diane (“DJ”) Stoeberl combines decades of lawyering with a passion for service to help nonprofit organizations achieve their goals and thrive. A skilled communicator and problem-solver, DJ provides valuable guidance to the organizations she serves and enjoys supporting their daily legal matters and compliance needs. With a master’s degree in tax law and an estate planning background, DJ deeply understands donor perspective and, in her capacity at Cheshire Law Group, she advises on planned giving matters in addition to many other types of tax matters.
Morgen Cheshire, Esq.
Morgen was named the 2024 Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer of the Year by the American Bar Association and is a systemic thinker, dedicated to serving the legal needs of nonprofit organizations and revolutionizing how nonprofits access legal supports. She is the founder and managing attorney of the Cheshire Law Group, which was awarded the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Solo and Small Firm Section Award in 2024. Cheshire Law Group was launched in July 2011 to bring legal counsel within reach for nonprofit organizations, and in her daily practice, she exclusively serves as outside general counsel for nonprofits, helping them to manage their day-to-day and strategic legal needs effectively and affordably. Morgen is also the founder and managing editor of PAnonprofitlaw.com, a digital legal library launched in 2023 that offers resources that help make sense of legal complexities and accelerate and elevate the work of Pennsylvania’s nonprofit organizations and the professionals who serve them. PAnonprofitlaw.com includes tools that range from ready-to-use templates to informative guides to an annotated version of Pennsylvania’s Nonprofit Corporation Law (a 4th edition is coming in 2026!). Morgen also currently serves on the Public Policy Committee for the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) and is a member of the Pennsylvania Department of State Corporation Bureau Advisory Committee. Morgen earned her bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College, and her law degree from Temple University School of Law, cum laude, and spent her third year of law school at Columbia School of Law studying art law. She is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New York.
Beth Dougherty, Esq.
Beth Dougherty is the Director of Legal Education Initiatives at Cheshire Law Group in Philadelphia. Beth has advised a wide range of nonprofit organizations on all aspects of their activities, including formation and tax-exempt status, board governance, federal and state laws and regulatory compliance, mergers, affiliations, and fundraising compliance. She has also served on the boards of grassroots nonprofit organizations and worked directly in the nonprofit sector, supporting public education initiatives through the City of Philadelphia’s Community Schools Program and child health as a Project Coordinator at Children First. An active volunteer in her community, Beth has been involved with the East Passyunk Crossing Civic Association since 2008. She is a graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law, J.D., and New York University, B.A.
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