Navigating the Federal Funding Freeze

Many Choose Clean Water Coalition members are impacted by the freezing of federal funds. This page contains resources to help nonprofit organizations in the Chesapeake region navigate track and navigate these developments. If you’re federal grant was terminated, click here for suggested next steps.

Frozen Grant Program Tracker

Grants impacting work here in the Chesapeake region are fluctuating rapidly. The Coalition is updating this tracking sheet regularly to reflect grant programs that are paused. If you see a grant program missing that is frozen, please email Kristin Reilly.

Updated 3/19/2025

Report Frozen and Terminated Grants

In an effort to stay up to date on the latest funding impacts, the Coalition is asking members to please submit new and UPDATED notifications of paused/terminated projects. If you submitted a grant status previously, please still submit an update.

Updated 3/19/2025

Take Action

There are many ways that nonprofits can engage their leadership at the local, state, and federal level to help advocate for the release of frozen funding. Check back regularly as the Coalition is continuing to update our advocacy recommendations and communications guidance.

Updated 2/20/2025

Find New Funding

Many nonprofits are now searching for funding to replace federal funds that are frozen or have been rescinded. There are tools available that can help identify non-federal funding. While the Coalition looks for a long-term solution, here are some temporary resources.

Updated 3/19/2025

Partner Resources

Environmental Protection Network

The Environmental Protection Network has developed many resources and guidance for nonprofits navigating the funding freeze. We recommend signing up for their federal funding alert emails.

Chesapeake Legal Alliance

Do you have legal questions regarding a grant agreement, contract, or any other questions related to the federal funding freeze? Reach out to Chesapeake Legal Alliance to be connected to a pro bono attorney in their network.

SouthWings

Looking to court new funders? Want to tell the story of impacts from the federal freeze and termination? SouthWings provides free flights to nonprofits to give partners a unique perspective (literally) to better understand and solve pressing environmental issues. Submit a flight request here.

Raise Your Voice!

Friends of the Rappahannock’s Bryan Hoffman speaks with reporters at the Coalition’s 2025 Chesapeake Bay Day on Capitol Hill.


We need to tell the story of the damage the federal funding freeze is having on communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. Many reporters are covering this story and are looking for local examples.

If you’re willing to speak to the press about your federal grant that is/was paused and/or terminated, please contact Drew Robinson at RobinsonAQ@nwf.org.

Funding Freeze Impacts Here in the Chesapeake

Due to the federal funding freeze, Coalition members across the watershed are experiencing major impacts to their work and staffing. The pause in projects is also putting community partners, like farmers and localities, in dire financial situations. Local economies and small businesses who are an essential part of restoration and conservation work are also suffering.

Based on a survey of Coalition members:

  • 20 percent of respondents’ budgets are 75 percent or more federal funding.

  • 56 percent of respondents said they received notice that their grants were paused since January.

  • 80 percent of respondents had two or more grants paused. With 20 percent having seven or more grants.

  • 45 percent of respondents are using money in reserve or from other grants and/or their reserves to cover their federally funded project.

If you are a Coalition member who has yet to take our federal funding freeze impact survey, we want to hear from you! Please contact us at admin@choosecleanwater.org so we can send you the survey.