Greetings Friend,

Across every region, philanthropy is being asked to navigate new terrain. Here in the United States, government scrutiny of how foundations give is intensifying, even as the architecture of foreign aid is being rewritten. At the same time, global crises and disasters such as the Sudan conflict and Myanmar/Thailand earthquake pose yet more challenges.

Philanthropy has not been idle in response: U.S. foundations are building large-scale coalitions and investing in future-readiness, and European peers are leaning on place-based legitimacy, pooled infrastructure, and transnational networks to safeguard civic space. Although circumstances vary, the underlying challenges and opportunities are often shared.

In that spirit, we have joined alongside foundation leaders in a recent statement, reaffirming core principles that ground us all. At the Council, we continue to monitor these changes closely and our teams are always here for your questions and to offer support—reach out to our legal experts at legal@cof.org or our government affairs team at govt@cof.org. For frequent policy updates straight to your inbox, you can subscribe to our Washington Snapshot.

All the best,

Natalie Ross Vice President of Membership, Development, and Finance natalie.ross@cof.org	Brian Kastner Director of Engagement brian.kastner@cof.org

Upcoming at the Council

You still have time to sign up for the upcoming Global Training!

Policy changes, aid cuts, and uncertainty are reshaping global work. Build your readiness with our three-half-day virtual training, Global Grantmaking Essentials!

Backed by the Council’s 40+ years of experience, this training provides a deep dive into global regulations, practical tools for navigating complex systems, and fresh insights informed by the latest data and research.

Join us for one of these offerings: 

• Spring Dates: April 22, 24, & 30
• Fall Dates: November 12, 13, & 19

Learn more and register for the April dates now! Join us to hear from our expert staff and guest speakers including:

• Hanna Surmatz, Head of Policy | Philea
• Luc Athayde-Rizzaro, Grantmaking Effectiveness Officer | Ford Foundation

Legal and Regulatory Resources

Global Development in Transition: U.S. Cuts and International Response

• USAID Closure Signals New Era in U.S. Development Policy: The Trump administration has formally notified Congress of its intent to dissolve USAID as an independent agency, transferring remaining programs and personnel into the State Department by September 2025.
• Court Blocks IAF Shutdown: A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the Inter-American Foundation.
• Navigating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA): A recent memorandum from Attorney General Pam Bondi narrowed the DOJ’s criminal enforcement under FARA, but leaves civil inquiries fully intact, creating potential pitfalls for philanthropic initiatives involving foreign governments or donors. 

Mark Your Calendar

Join two in-person events at Stanford on Tuesday, April 15, bringing together leading voices to explore the next chapter of U.S.–Japan partnership — from philanthropy and civil society to trade, and even baseball.

• Philanthropy as Japan’s New Soft Power: Co-hosted by Stanford PACS and the U.S.–Japan Foundation, the seminar will highlight Japan’s new philanthropic momentum and its relevance for U.S. partners.
• Recalibrating U.S.–Japan Collaboration in a Time of Tumult: A high-level symposium featuring scholars and policy experts tackling key shifts in the U.S.–Japan relationship.

News and Resources

• UK Shifts to Fixed Aid Budget: The U.K. will now fix its aid budget rather than adjusting it based on economic performance, aiming to improve predictability and ease administrative challenges.
• EU Assesses Next Steps Amid U.S. Foreign Aid Cuts: The EU is evaluating how to respond to major U.S. aid reductions, identifying health, migration, and fragility as priority areas tied to its own security and stability.
• Open Society Foundations Unveils New Operating Model: At a moment when global crises are escalating and major donors are pulling back, OSF has stepped fully into what President Binaifer Nowrojee calls a “new operating model” — leaner, faster, and more responsive.  

Keep in Touch!

Share your organization’s impact story with us at
communications@cof.org.

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