In the boxing ring, survival isn’t just about strength—it’s about agility. A good fighter knows when to stand firm and when to move, dodging punches while staying in the fight. In many ways, organizations committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) now find themselves in that very position—bobbing and weaving to navigate the latest DEI executive order that seeks to dismantle DEI efforts at the federal level and in the private sector.
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14151, titled Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity . This sweeping policy mandates the elimination of DEI-related programs across federal agencies, ending DEI-focused hiring practices, dissolving DEI offices, and revoking funding for diversity-focused grants and contracts. For organizations reliant on federal funding, it’s a powerful right hook that requires swift strategy and adjustment in navigating the DEI executive order.
Ducking the Punch: Understanding the Immediate Impact
Like a boxer bracing for impact, nonprofits, educational institutions, and government agencies are assessing the damage and preparing counter-moves. Agencies like the Department of Education and Health and Human Services have already begun dismantling DEI initiatives and canceling millions in diversity-related grants . Universities that relied on federal funding for DEI programs have also closed offices and paused initiatives .
The Council of Nonprofits is tracking the broader implications of executive orders affecting nonprofit organizations. To stay informed, check their running analysis of these orders and their impacts on funding and compliance here.
Rolling with the Blows: Legal and Institutional Pushback
While the federal government throws its punches, legal challenges and institutional resistance are rising. The ACLU and many legal experts argue that dismantling DEI programs may violate the Equal Protection Clause and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act . Meanwhile, some universities, such as the University of California system, have reaffirmed their commitment to diversity, promising to continue DEI programming using private and state funding.
This is a reminder that while federal funding may shift, the work of equity remains essential. Organizations must strategize their response, keeping a keen eye on navigating the DEI executive order and how the legal landscape unfolds.
Counterpunching: Strategies for Staying in the Fight
For organizations committed to DEI, now is the time to stay nimble—to dodge, pivot, and throw strategic counterpunches. Here’s how:
- Assess Your Position – Conduct a comprehensive policy and funding review to determine which DEI initiatives are federally funded and where alternative resources can be leveraged.
- Seek Legal Advice – Work with legal experts to ensure compliance while identifying lawful paths forward for DEI efforts.
- Foster Internal DEI Culture – Even without federal funding or blessing of DEI work, organizations can embed inclusion into hiring, leadership, and workplace culture.
- Diversify Funding Sources – Now is the time to strengthen relationships with private foundations and state-level grantmakers.
- Stay Informed and Mobilized – Advocacy matters. Partner with organizations pushing back and monitor legal challenges as they unfold.
The Final Round: Where We Go From Here
Just like a boxer who refuses to go down, the DEI movement is not out of the fight. Organizations must stay strategic, stay informed, and stay engaged. One crucial way to do this is by subscribing to the Equity in Action Newsletter, where we provide up-to-date resources and strategies for navigating the DEI executive order and the changing landscape. Subscribe here.
For weekly updates on the latest in access, diversity, equity, and inclusion, subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch Equity News Now—a newscast dedicated to covering the stories that matter most. Watch here.
Every great boxer needs a great coach. If you are interested in connecting and learning how you can strategically lead your organization forward, send us a note. We would love to hear from you.
In this fight, resilience is key. We may be bobbing and weaving, but we are still standing—and we are still swinging.
