As Donald Trump prepares for a second term as President, research from the University of California, Santa Cruz highlights the vital role nonprofits played during his first term by channeling public resistance to anti-immigrant policies.
Nonprofits providing legal aid to immigrants saw significant increases in public donations following Trump’s immigration-related actions. This phenomenon, often called “rage giving,” had been widely observed across nonprofit sectors, but detailed data on immigrant-focused organizations has been scarce until now.
Surge in Donations
Researchers analyzed IRS records and found that contributions to immigrant-serving legal aid nonprofits were 4 to 11 percentage points higher during the 2016 election compared to similar organizations. From 2016 to 2019, these nonprofits experienced donation increases of 8 to 17 percentage points, with many climbing to the 90th percentile of nonprofit donations nationwide.
“The public recognized shifts in the immigration climate and responded by boosting support for organizations serving immigrants,” the researchers explained.
This financial support helped these organizations handle reduced federal funding and increased service demands. Without it, immigrant communities would likely have faced even greater barriers to justice.
Adaptability Amidst Challenges
The study highlights the adaptability of legal aid nonprofits during challenging times and underscores their role as essential advocates for immigrant communities. While public contributions helped sustain these efforts, it’s unclear how much the increased funding impacted outcomes for immigrants’ rights.
Looking ahead to Trump’s second term, researchers question whether the public will respond with similar generosity. Initial surges in donations are often hard to sustain over time, and while the return of anti-immigrant rhetoric may motivate some, the long-term trend is uncertain.
“As Trump returns to the White House, the need for legal services for immigrants will undoubtedly grow,” the researchers concluded. “But will people rally again to support immigrant rights? Only time will tell.”
The study underscores the power of public support in driving change and the critical role of nonprofits in safeguarding vulnerable communities, even in the face of political headwinds.
