Liberal Forum

A nonprofit organization in Boston has rejected a federal grant to avoid President Donald Trump’s tirade against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.The non-profit 826 Boston, which offers free tutoring and writing programs to more than 3,000 students, turned down a $250,000 federal grant earlier this year, The Boston Globe reports. The grant was offered by Americorps, an independent agency that helps provide stipend volunteer work to nonprofits. The decision was made after 826 Boston’s application was flagged for containing the words “diversity, equity and inclusion,” a phrase which Trump mandated his first day in office be removed from any organization hoping to get federal funding.826 Boston’s board of directors voted unanimously to forgo the funding, the Globe reports. “I was really proud of our board because in that circumstance, and in withdrawing the grant, it wasn’t a question of whether we should do it, it was how we should do it,” 826 Boston President Janet Tiampo told the Globe.But now, the nonprofit is facing a massive hole in its budget — and can only afford to hire five tutors for the upcoming year.“I’m not going to tell you it’s not scary. It is super scary,” Tiampo told the Globe adding that “$250,000 for our organization is a lot money.”Americorps itself could be in trouble, too. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency placed the agency’s leadership on leave last week, and put most staff members on administrative leave with pay.AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps also told volunteers Tuesday that they would exit the program early “due to programmatic circumstances beyond your control.” The agency employs more than 200,00 volunteers across the country.