How Nonprofits Can Support Displaced Government Employees

As the 2025 Trump administration continues to wreak havoc, a wave of firings and reassignments among federal employees has sparked concern across sectors. These changes are particularly aimed at civil servants and experts perceived to be out of alignment with the administration’s goals. In response, nonprofits have a vital opportunity to step up in support of affected workers—offering legal aid, employment assistance, mental health services, and more.

This moment calls for a united and strategic effort. Here are key ways nonprofits can assist federal employees facing job loss or retribution.

Provide Legal Assistance

One of the most urgent needs for displaced federal workers is access to legal representation. In response, a coalition of groups including the AFL-CIO and We The Action have created the Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network. This initiative offers pro bono legal support to help federal employees understand their rights and defend against unfair terminations or reassignments.

Nonprofits can:

Refer impacted employees to Rise Up for direct legal assistance.
Partner with legal aid organizations to expand outreach and availability.
Host know-your-rights sessions or webinars for government workers.

Facilitate Employment Transitions

Many former federal employees have strong skill sets and a passion for public service. Nonprofits can act as connectors between these professionals and new opportunities in state and local government, nonprofits, and the private sector.

Organizations like the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) have begun exploring mechanisms to integrate displaced federal talent into state-level operations.

Your nonprofit can:

Offer resume writing and interview coaching tailored to nonprofit and public sector jobs.
Compile and promote job boards or hiring pipelines focused on mission-aligned roles.
Organize virtual job fairs or networking events specifically for displaced federal employees.

Support Mental Health and Well-Being

Job loss, especially in politically charged circumstances, can carry significant emotional and psychological weight. Nonprofits specializing in mental health can play a critical role in providing trauma-informed care.

To help, consider:

Offering free or sliding-scale counseling to affected individuals.
Creating peer-led support groups or online forums.
Developing tailored resources that address the intersection of employment loss and civic identity.

Nonprofits like Mental Health America and The Trevor Project serve as examples of how organizations can provide accessible and empathic mental health services.

Advocate for Worker Protections

Nonprofits must not only support individuals, but also work to address systemic threats to the civil service. Advocacy can help shape policy, protect institutional integrity, and defend nonpartisan expertise.

Here’s how:

Join efforts to defend merit-based hiring and civil service protections through groups like the Partnership for Public Service.
Educate the public and policymakers on the implications of politically motivated purges.
Use your platform to call for oversight and transparency.

Build Community and Collective Resilience

Support isn’t just about services—it’s about solidarity. Creating safe, welcoming spaces for displaced workers to connect, collaborate, and regain purpose is essential.

Your nonprofit can:

Host in-person or virtual networking meetups.
Launch an online community where resources, stories, and encouragement can be exchanged.
Offer volunteer or temporary roles to help displaced workers stay engaged in civic life.