Government Affairs Update: Congressional Art Competition, Risk Assessment Guide, Protect Nonprofit Grantees, and Introduction of the SPONSOR Act

The political landscape in Washington, DC continues to evolve daily. Chorus America needs to hear from you: How are the federal government’s actions affecting your work? All stories of specific impact are welcome. Please share your experience here. Thank you to those members who have already shared their stories with us. 

Visit our Government Affairs Resource Page for more tools.

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These government affairs updates are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. Nonprofit arts organizations should consult with legal counsel for guidance specific to their circumstances.

Help Spread the Word! Congressional Art Competition. Deadline March 13

Each year, Congress hosts the Congressional Art Competition. Students who enter may win a trip to Washington, DC, attend a special reception, and see their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

Applicants should check their Member of Congress’s website for application details.

👉 Learn more here.

Risk Assessment Guide for Arts Groups Engaged in Advocacy

Chorus America’s coalition partner, Theatre Communications Group (TCG), has developed a Risk Assessment Guide for arts organizations interested in increasing their advocacy and activism. Although written for 501(c)(3) theaters, the guide is also relevant for choral groups assessing the risks of advocacy and community organizing.

Assessing Risk: Taking Risk is designed to help boards, staff, and freelance artists reduce risk while maximizing the impact of their actions. The guide emphasizes strategic collaboration and recognizing that organizations and individuals play different roles in advocacy movements.

👉 Read the complete guide here.

Take Action: GSA Proposes New Certification Requirements for Federal Grantees

The General Services Administration (GSA) has proposed changes to the System for Award Management (SAM) that could create legal and financial risks for nonprofit grantees and limit community access to critical services.

The proposal would require all federal grantees, including nonprofits, state, local, and Tribal governments, to sign new certifications before applying for or receiving federal funding, including grants and cooperative agreements. These certifications would carry potential civil and criminal penalties.

The language attempts to align with President Trump’s executive order and U.S. Department of Justice guidance related to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, undocumented immigration, and terrorism.

👉 Take action here!  Urge your Member of Congress to protect nonprofit grantees and the communities they serve.

New Bill Targets Fiscal Sponsor Liability

On February 26, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced S.3945, the SPONSOR Act. The bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to hold fiscal sponsors liable for how sponsored funds are used. The legislation has not yet advanced in Congress.

“Loopholes in the Internal Revenue Code allow radical groups to use tax exempt funds to bankroll violent, anti American activity opaquely and therefore with impunity. The violence that has spread in recent years in our cities and on our college campuses is not organic. It is enabled by funding from well resourced organizations that exploit such loopholes, including and especially through fiscal sponsorships.”
— Senator Ted Cruz

Because fiscal sponsorship is a common financial model for arts organizations, Chorus America and its coalition partners will continue to monitor the legislation.