Financial Challenges Prompt Major Layoffs at March For Our Lives
March For Our Lives, a leading organization in the gun control movement, has announced critical layoffs amid significant financial difficulties. The nonprofit, known for advocating for stricter gun regulations, disclosed on March 20, 2025, that it has reduced its staff from 16 to just 3 full-time employees.
New Leadership Amidst Financial Reorganization
In conjunction with the layoffs, the organization is shifting its leadership. Jaclyn Corin, a 24-year-old co-founder and Parkland shooting survivor, has been appointed the executive director. Corin’s leadership comes at a pivotal time as the organization faces new challenges post-2024 election.
“We are facing financial challenges as an organization, not unlike many nonprofit advocacy organizations in this time,” Corin stated in an interview with The 19th. “I am sure things would look differently with a different outcome of the election, but these are the systems and circumstances in which we have to make adjustments based on the financial situation we find ourselves in.”
Impact on Advocacy Ahead of Midterm Elections
The layoffs represent a significant setback for one of the most recognized gun control organizations in the United States, potentially limiting its influence ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Background of the Organization
Founded on February 14, 2018, following the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the organization grew rapidly from grassroots activism. The first march it organized on March 24 of the same year in Washington, D.C., brought together hundreds of thousands of supporters, establishing it as a formidable advocate for gun control reform.
Achievements in Gun Control Legislation
March For Our Lives played a crucial role in the passage of significant legislative measures, notably Florida’s SB 7026, which introduced red flag laws, raised the minimum age for firearm purchases to 21, and mandated a waiting period for gun purchases.
Recent Financial Declines
Despite earlier successes, the organization has experienced a sharp decline in fundraising. From a revenue of $2.2 million in 2022, funding dropped to $1.4 million in 2023, with a deficit exceeding $300,000. Additionally, its political action committee saw revenues tumble from $7 million in 2022 to less than $3.5 million in 2023, which is significantly lower than the $18.6 million raised in their peak year of 2018.
Reduction in Donor Support
Following the 2024 presidential election, many Democratic donors have curtailed financial contributions to progressive causes, impacting March For Our Lives’ operational budget and staffing. Corin noted that the outcomes of political events directly affected the organization’s ability to finance its programs and initiatives.
“I am sure things would look differently with a different outcome of the election, but these are the systems and circumstances in which we have to make adjustments based on the financial situation we find ourselves in,” she reiterated.
Commitment to Advocacy and Youth Engagement
Despite these challenges, Corin emphasized that March For Our Lives is not dissolving its operations. She acknowledged past misallocations of resources but expressed a renewed commitment to focusing on grassroots mobilization among young people to advocate for change in gun legislation.
“While these efforts were important, we ultimately took on more than our resources could sustain over the long term — and we take responsibility for that,” she said. “Now, we are making an intentional effort to double down where we are most effective: mobilizing young people to hold their leaders accountable for failing to address the number one killer of kids.”
Future Directions and Goals
Looking ahead, Corin aims to renew focus on the critical issue of gun violence in the United States, aiming to equip young voters with the knowledge and tools necessary for advocating change in their communities. As she expressed:
“We hope to remind people of the insanity of the existence of this issue in this country and then give them the tools for how to actually make a change in their communities.”
**About José Niño**: José Niño is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. Connect with him on Facebook and X/Twitter, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter, “Jose Nino Unfiltered,” on Substack.com.
