Trump Administration Freezes Billions in School Grants, Alaska Nonprofit Sues Over Cancelled Funding

The Trump administration is withholding billions of dollars in federal education funding across multiple states, including nearly $7 billion nationally and $108 million for Massachusetts, causing widespread uncertainty for schools and after-school programs. This funding freeze affects critical programs such as teacher training, after-school care, summer camps, and services for English learners and migrant students, threatening layoffs, program cancellations, and disruptions in learning. States and organizations warn that the pause on grants under review to ensure alignment with President Trump's priorities could lead to the closure of hundreds of Boys and Girls Clubs and the loss of services for hundreds of thousands of low-income children. Additionally, Launch Alaska, a nonprofit supporting energy and climate-focused startups, has sued the Trump administration for abruptly terminating a $5 million grant from the Navy's Office of Naval Research without explanation, risking layoffs and the shutdown of its accelerator program. The nonprofit argues that the grant cancellation undermines national interests in energy security and Arctic readiness and threatens local economic development. These actions reflect the administration’s broader efforts to cut federal funding, including initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating significant challenges for affected organizations and communities.