Description
DEI Update for Nonprofits: Staying Mission-Focused Amidst Uncertainty
Originally Aired on April 21, 2026 | 90 Minutes
Presented by: Morgen Cheshire, Founder and Managing Attorney, Beth Dougherty, Attorney & Director of Legal Education Initiatives, and Diane J. (DJ) Stoeberl, Attorney, Cheshire Law Group
Offered in Partnership with: Cheshire Law Group and PAnonprofitlaw.com
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 priorities. State Attorneys General have something to say, too, so it’s no wonder that nonprofit organizations are confused and concerned about the legality of their DEI initiatives and how to navigate these current and unique challenges.
In this webinar recording, led by attorneys specializing in nonprofit law, you'll learn how to help your nonprofit understand what’s really at stake and what it can and cannot do in terms of DEI.
Specifically, this session covered:
- The current state of federal law governing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
- How to assess risk for your organization in the current legal landscape
- Risk mitigation strategies amidst continued uncertainty
- Steps your organization can take to protect itself in the face of potential public policy changes that may conflict with your organization’s mission and values
*PLEASE NOTE: This was an informational session, and no legal advice was given to attendees. Attendees seeking legal advice should engage legal counsel. Purchase of this webinar recording does not establish an attorney-client relationship with the presenters or their law firm, even if viewers ask questions and receive responses from the presenters.
Once you have purchased this webinar, you will be emailed the link and password to access the video, along with a link to download any supporting materials (e.g., copy of the PowerPoint, handouts, etc.). This email will be sent to the address that you list when you check out. If you have any questions, please email info@pano.org or call PANO’s main business line at 717-236-8584.
