Hafa Adai,

I am writing on behalf of (name of nonprofit organization/agency) to express our deep concern about the rampant changes happening across the agencies of our U.S. federal government, and the impending threat that these changes pose to federal grant funding.

Actions including the freezing of federal funds, changes that have been ordered with regard to funding priorities, and the firing without notice of hundreds of federal agency employees have created a confusing and unprecedented scenario for Guam’s federal funding, especially with regard to our many nonprofit organizations that depend on this funding to provide much-needed programs for our island community.

Most recently, on February 6th, 2025, the Trump Administration issued this memorandum concerning nonprofits: MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES: Advancing United States Interests When Funding Nongovernmental Organizations.

“The United States Government has provided significant taxpayer dollars to Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), many of which are engaged in actions that actively undermine the security, prosperity, and safety of the American people. It is the policy of my Administration to stop funding NGOs that undermine the national interest.

I therefore direct the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to review all funding that agencies provide to NGOs. The heads of agencies shall align future funding decisions with the interests of the United States and with the goals and priorities of my Administration, as expressed in executive actions; as otherwise determined in the judgment of the heads of agencies; and on the basis of applicable authorizing statutes, regulations, and terms.”

Nonprofit organizations in Guam do not “undermine the security, prosperity, and safety of the American people.” From fair housing support, to free counseling for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, to programs and research to protect our marine life and so much more, our nonprofit organizations provide resources and support that promote the prosperity and safety of the people here—they do not “undermine” it. In point of fact, the programs that nonprofit organizations provide in Guam enhance the security, prosperity, and safety of the American people. Removing this vital funding will cost lives and affect the overall economy and safety of American lives in Guam.

Additionally, federal funding also supports our public sector, from the Department of Public Health and Social Services to Guam Memorial Hospital to the Guam Police Department to the Guam Department of Education and myriad other local government agencies. In Fiscal Year 2024, the Government of Guam received $723.6 million from federal grants or federal matching funds (Taitano, 2024. Link )

This amount does not include the millions of dollars in federal grant funding that nonprofit organizations, businesses, the University of Guam, and other organizations receive and pump into the local community in a variety of positive ways that contribute to our overall security and safety. These federal funds support, or supplement, these organizations to provide direct victim services, local jobs, pay rent on the facilities out of which they operate, contract local vendors, and support a portion of the Guam Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

With the decline of our tourism industry since the COVID pandemic (Guam is currently at 44 percent percent of pre-pandemic (2019) tourism arrival figures), federal grant funds have been essential in helping to bridge the funding gaps COVID left in our economy.

The elimination of this funding, or its drastic reduction, would be devastating to our local economy and community members.

Therefore, we urge you to actively monitor the threats to funding happening across federal government agencies and to fight for the continuation of federal funds that greatly assist and positively impact our island community. If a freeze, or decline in federal grant funding for nonprofit organizations becomes a reality, we urge you to immediately advocate for the release of said funds, and return to present-level funding, for the U.S. Territory of Guam. This funding—and the threat of its reduction or discontinuation— impacts every person in Guam—including the thousands of military personnel and their families stationed at the three U.S. military bases that occupy nearly one third of our island. Military members, their spouses and youth are among those persons who access the direct services funded by these grants. Any delays in this funding compromises not only our work, but also the peace, stability and growth of the communities we serve.

Your leadership, your voice, and your actions can make a profound difference.

Si Yu’os Ma’ase for your unwavering commitment to serving our island and to ensuring that federal resources continue to support those that need them the most.

We also look forward to your participation in future community meetings that address this issue, such as the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, March 13, 2025, where the threat to federal grant funding will be broadly discussed. To confirm your participation, please contact our Executive Director, Rachel Davis at connect@guamwomenschamber.com!