Nonprofit Board News, May 2025: Higher Ed Institutions Fight for Independence

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Nonprofit boards have had their rabbit ears on throughout most of 2025, for good reason.

From federal funding threats to policy mandates to overall economic uncertainty, it’s not a calm time in the nonprofit world. Boards are forced to react to sudden, sweeping changes in their economic and policy structures, almost regardless of their focus.

Let’s look at how a few of them are handling the shockwaves.

Harvard Fights Back

At Harvard, the Trump Administration’s demands for cultural change primarily focus on pulling funding from colleges it deems failed to protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian demonstrations and is also targeting DEI programs in academia.
Harvard Corporation Senior Fellow and Board of Trustees member Penny Pritzker is facing pressure from donors, including Bill Ackman, a hedge-fund billionaire and Trump ally, to agree to the Trump Administration’s demands.
The White House has frozen billions of dollars in federal funding and targeted the school’s tax-exempt status. Harvard has responded with a lawsuit that claims the administration has violated the school’s constitutional rights.

AGB Takes a Stand

AGB, The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, has taken a stand against what’s happening at Harvard and several other higher ed institutions.
AGB, in a May 7 statement: “The independence of governing boards, central to institutional autonomy, is under growing threat from political pressures, including funding tied to ideological compliance and attempts to control core institutional decisions regarding admissions, hiring, and mission execution. These intrusions jeopardize institutional quality, integrity, and the ability to serve students and communities effectively.”
Ross Mugler, AGB Board Chair and Acting President and CEO, added, “This initiative is not about partisanship, it’s about principle. Institutional autonomy is essential to academic freedom, civic leadership, and innovation and is upheld by independent board governance. AGB is proud to lead this effort to reaffirm our shared responsibility to safeguard governance from politicization.”

What’s Next for Associations

“Slowbolization is the word of the day, according to ASAE in a recent article, “From ‘Slowbalization’ to Policy Shifts: The Road Ahead for Associations.” Slowbalization means what you might have suspected: a slowdown in globalization. In the article, ASAE attempts to explain how associations can adapt to the trend in a way that supports its constituents sufficiently.
More from the article: “The economic shifts ahead present both challenges and opportunities for associations and their members. Rising operational costs due to inflation and increased interest rates may require organizations to implement cost-containment strategies.”
The article also advocates providing support for members wherever possible, while utilizing data and technology. “Associations can provide their members with timely insights, advocacy support, and innovative solutions to navigate economic uncertainty by forging stronger connections with policymakers, industry leaders, and educational institutions,” it reads. “Technology and data analytics will also be essential tools, enabling associations to track trends, assess risks, and guide their members in making informed strategic decisions.”

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About The Author

Adam Wire: Adam Wire is a Content Marketing Manager at OnBoard who joined the company in 2021. A Ball State University graduate, Adam worked in various content marketing roles at Angi, USA Football, and Adult & Child Health following a 12-year career in newspapers. His favorite part of the job is problem-solving and helping teammates achieve their goals. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two dogs. He’s an avid sports fan and foodie who also enjoys lawn and yard work and running.