{"id":42805,"date":"2025-02-21T19:08:52","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T19:08:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanorchestras.org\/?page_id=42805"},"modified":"2025-11-18T19:26:47","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T19:26:47","slug":"resources-for-navigating-the-changing-landscape","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/americanorchestras.org\/learn\/equity-diversity-and-inclusion\/resources-for-navigating-the-changing-landscape\/","title":{"rendered":"Resources for Navigating the Changing Landscape"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated November 18, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent shifts in the policy environment include numerous executive orders and corresponding court action on diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity. Given the uniqueness of individual orchestra programs as well as state and local nuances, the League is not able to offer direct legal guidance. Instead, we recommend that orchestras engage their boards\u2014and potentially local legal counsel\u2014to help them uphold their values and advance their missions in the emerging compliance environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following recent resources can help inform next steps. The League will continue to monitor developments and update this list over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overviews of Federal Actions<\/strong><\/h2>
\n

Within the first month of the new Administration, 75 executive orders have been signed, many having a cross-cutting impact on federal agencies, funding, and compliance requirements for the arts and nonprofit sectors<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General FAQs on Executive Orders<\/strong><\/a> from the National Council of Nonprofits highlights the most critical and urgent questions for the non-profit sector.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits<\/strong><\/a> is a comprehensive Executive Order Tracker, regularly updated to reflect related court action.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DEI Initiatives: Know How to Mitigate Risk<\/strong><\/a> is a February 14 NonProfit Times<\/em> article on how to assess and respond to potentially adverse legal and regulatory consequences of the executive orders, while maintaining progress towards nonprofit missions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

League Overview: National Endowment for the Arts Grants<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>summarizes the latest changes to NEA grantmaking in response to the orders, and offers key considerations for applications for future NEA support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an Executive Order?<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>from the American Bar Association provides helpful background information. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Legal Analysis<\/strong><\/h2>
\n

The following resources provide essential background information about the legal landscape related to anti-discrimination rules and the scope of legal equity, diversity, and inclusion activity<\/em>.<\/em>\u00a0

Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in a Time of Uncertainty: What Employers Need to Know<\/a> <\/strong>is a short explainer produced by the Legal Defense Fund, Asian Americans Advancing Justice \u2013 AAJC, Democracy Forward, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, the Lawyers\u2019 Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the National Women\u2019s Law Center.

The legal analysis The Department of Justice\u2019s \u201cGuidance for Recipients of Federal Funding on Unlawful Discrimination\u201d: What You Need to Know<\/em><\/strong><\/a> was produced by the Legal Defense Fund in partnership with multiple civil rights organizations in response to a July 29, 2025 memo<\/a> <\/strong>from the office the Attorney General regarding the application of federal antidiscrimination laws.\u00a0

Your Civil Rights Obligations Remain in Force<\/a> <\/strong>is a letter to the private sector from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights making clear that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are key to compliance with the civil rights laws for protected groups and create environments where people of all backgrounds can fully participate and contribute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multi-State Attorneys General Guidance Concerning Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Employment Initiatives<\/strong><\/a> was issued on February 13, 2025 and clarifies the legal landscape for businesses and non-profits by differentiating between “sound and lawful policies and practices that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workforce” and unlawful discrimination based on personal preference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statement of Former Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Officials on Employer Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts<\/a> <\/strong>was published on April 3, 2025 and responds to the EEOC\/Department of Justice (DoJ) Joint Overview DEI-Related Discrimination at Work<\/a> and EEOC Q &A<\/a>, published March 19, 2025. The agency documents acknowledge that DEI is a \u201cbroad term that is not defined\u201d in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. These technical assistance documents are not formal EEOC guidance, which requires a vote. The Commission currently lacks a quorum to hold a vote after two of the three commissioners were terminated on Jan. 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multi-State Attorneys General Guidance to Institutions of Higher Education and K-12 Schools<\/a><\/strong> was issued on March 5, 2025 and responds to a February 14 Dear Colleague Letter<\/a> and February 28 FAQ<\/a> issued by the U.S. Department of Education regarding the scope of legality of common equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the Law to Remediate Injustice: Legal Strategies for Nonprofits and Foundations<\/strong><\/a> is a September 2024 webinar presentation by BakerHostetler Partner Alexander Reid and a panel of legal and strategic thought leaders exploring how to deliver on mission within the legal landscape.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discomfort Isn\u2019t Discrimination,<\/strong><\/a> from The Employer Handbook Blog, reports on a Federal Court\u2019s February 2025 ruling that DEI training is not inherently unlawful. As it says, \u201cBy focusing on fairness and inclusion, addressing discomfort constructively, and ensuring a respectful environment, DEI training\u202fdone right\u202fremains a powerful tool for building a positive workplace culture.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Settlement Update from the Council on Foundations<\/strong><\/a> is helpful reading for organizations that operate fellowships or professional development programs and outlines how the September 2024 American Alliance for Equal Rights v Fearless Foundation case addresses a program eligibility criteria.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump Executive Orders Target DEI in Government and Private Sector,<\/strong><\/a> from Pillsbury Law, provides a granular examination of actions taken to date by the new administration, with a particular focus on the implications federal grantees and contractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

False Claims Act Exposure in Focus<\/a><\/strong>, published in the National Law Review<\/em>, provides an overview of an enforcement mechanism that is referenced in recent executive orders and should be well understood by organizations, whether or not they will be future federal grant recipients.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Messaging Guides<\/strong><\/h2>
\n

Presenting and framing ongoing legal equity, diversity, and inclusion work as an integrated value is critical as orchestras navigate the evolving environment. The following guides offer suggestions for how to communicate these values in a way that resonates across multiple audiences.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Legal Landscape Around DEI Is Shifting, Your Messaging Should, Too,<\/strong><\/a> from the Harvard Business Review, addresses messaging from a legal perspective, providing practical guidance and sample text.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Messaging Guide<\/strong><\/a> created by Raben, explores how the public perceives and distinguishes between diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and offers practical guidance on framing values in ways that communicate across party lines and racial groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fierce Urgency of Now: Messages that Advance Diversity and Equal Opportunity<\/strong><\/a>, is produced by the Leadership Conference on Human and Civil Rights. It synthesizes insights from recent public perception studies, and outlines a broad messaging approach designed to resonate across the political spectrum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arts and Creativity Strengthen our Nation: A Messaging Guide<\/strong><\/a> from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies provides guidance and key messages for engaging and influencing elected officials on critical topics such as public funding and the impact of the arts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Creative Expression Resources<\/strong><\/h2>
\n

Freedom of creative expression is central to the capacity of orchestras to deliver on mission, and participation and inclusivity are essential to ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives shape the art form\u2019s evolution. The following resources can support discussions about programming and artistry.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Coalition Against Censorship<\/a><\/strong> provides resources to help artists and all citizens promote free expression and challenge censorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PEN America\u2019s Flashpoints Educational Resource Guide<\/strong><\/a> shares past and current debates about free speech in the context of protest, dissent, and the quest for social change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Censorship Horizon: A Survey of Art Museum Directors<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>raises <\/strong>important and relatable issues concerned with both censorship and self-censorship in the face of political pressure.  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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