Thank you for supporting the continuing resolution that temporarily delayed implementation of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) proposed changes to the Uniform Guidance governing federal grantmaking. We appreciate your efforts to provide additional time for review and consideration of this proposal. However, a temporary delay is not enough. We urge you to use every available legislative and oversight tool to permanently block OMB from implementing this regulation or any substantially similar proposal. If implemented, the rule would create significant uncertainty for nonprofits and other grant recipients, threaten essential services that communities rely upon, and undermine Congress's constitutional authority over federal spending.

Utah values accountability, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and local solutions to local challenges. Across our state, more than 12,000 nonprofits, including faith-based organizations, work alongside government, businesses, and community leaders to strengthen communities and address critical needs. These partnerships depend on stable, predictable, and transparent federal funding. As the statewide association serving Utah's nonprofit sector, the Utah Nonprofits Association (UNA) supports more than 600 nonprofit members across the state. We are deeply concerned that OMB's proposal would create uncertainty and instability, making it more difficult for these organizations to serve Utah communities effectively.

We are particularly concerned that the proposal would:

• Create significant financial risk and instability for federal grantees, ultimately harming constituents. Less predictable funding and greater administrative discretion would increase risk, discourage participation in federal programs, and disrupt essential community services.
• Reduce transparency and inject politics into grantmaking decisions. Federal funding should be guided by objective criteria, community needs, and congressional intent, not shifting political priorities.
• Undermine Congress's constitutional authority over federal spending. By allowing broad discretion to alter or withhold congressionally authorized funding, the proposal weakens congressional intent and the constitutional power of the purse.

For these reasons, we respectfully urge you to build on the protections included in the continuing resolution and work with your colleagues to permanently block OMB from implementing this regulation or any substantially similar proposal. Utah communities, nonprofits, and taxpayers deserve a federal grantmaking system that is transparent, predictable, accountable, and faithful to congressional intent.

Thank you for your leadership and service to Utah.

 

Sincerely,

Jill P. Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
Utah Nonprofits Association