Greetings Friend,

As we get into conference season, we wanted to highlight where the team has been and will be going next. (Hopefully we can connect with many of you!)

• Last month, Brian Kastner, Director of Engagement and Global Philanthropy, co-presented with NGOsource and JPMorgan Chase Foundation at the PEAK Grantmaking Conference.
• Later this month, Natalie Ross, Vice President of Membership, Development, and Finance, will be at the Skoll World Forum from April 21-24.

As planning for the United States to host the 2026 G20 gathering this December continues, we’re working alongside WINGS and other peer philanthropy networks to map where philanthropy can engage. Initial opportunities are emerging with informal engagement tracks like the Think Tank, Labor 20, Urban 20, Interfaith 20, and Business 20. As work develops this year, we expect there to be several ways funders can contribute insights and help shape policy recommendations.

If you’d like to meet at an upcoming conference or learn more about how to engage in the G20 process, please reach out to engagement@cof.org. 

Read on to see key updates across U.S. government actions, global philanthropy trends, and legal and regulatory changes that could impact global grantmakers.

Upcoming Events

Bi-Weekly Global Funder Policy Briefings (Member-Only)

Every other Friday at 10 a.m. ET, CEOs and senior staff from Council member foundations meet for a brief update on current developments affecting global grantmaking. The conversation includes updates from the Council and our partner, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), and offers a space for funders to stay informed and exchange perspectives with peers. Our next call will take place on Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. ET.

Please contact brian.kastner@cof.org for more information.

Global Grantmaking Essentials Training

Registration is now open for our final Global Grantmaking Essentials training of the year. Sessions will take place on October 20, 22, and 28. This three-part virtual series offers a practical look at cross-border giving, covering key regulations, tools for navigating complex environments, and the latest data shaping global philanthropy. Learn more and register.

Legal and Regulatory Resources

Global Development in Transition: U.S. Government Updates

• U.S. State Department establishes new humanitarian bureau: In March 2026, the State Department launched a Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response as part of its post-USAID restructuring. The bureau is expected to operate through 12 global hubs with roughly 200 staff and $5.4 billion in funding and will be led on an interim basis by Ryan Shrum under the oversight of Jeremy Lewin.
• Escalating Conflict in the Middle East: As the conflict in the Middle East continues to intensify, humanitarian needs are accelerating significantly. Millions have been displaced across Iran and Lebanon, while aid organizations face severe funding shortfalls that are limiting their ability to respond at scale.  For funders considering how to support response efforts and navigate U.S. sanctions compliance, we encourage you to review the Council’s latest guidance.
• Proposed SAM Changes: In February, the General Services Administration (GSA) proposed revisions to the System of Awards Management (SAM), introducing new certification requirements tied to federal anti-discrimination policies, immigration compliance, and prohibitions on supporting unlawful activities. The Council submitted comments in response to the proposed changes. 
• Senate Hearing on Foreign Influence in Higher Education: The Senate HELP committee examined foreign funding in universities, with Committee Republicans highlighting the DETERRANT Act to strengthen disclosure of foreign funding and Committee Democrats calling for additional oversight. The Council continues to track congressional conversations about foreign influence and US nonprofits.

Global Philanthropy Updates

• FATF Evaluation Highlights U.S. Nonprofit Risk Landscape: A recent op-ed from Charity and Security Network reflects on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) 2026 mutual evaluation of the United States, highlighting ongoing concerns around how counterterrorism financing measures intersect with nonprofit operations.
• Philanthropy’s Role as Global Development Shifts: Leaders from Humanity United and the Packard and Hilton Foundations make the case in an op-ed that while philanthropy can’t replace shrinking aid, it does have a role in helping shape what comes next. They point to four areas for focus, including locally led development, stronger development finance, and rethinking how international cooperation works as the global context continues to shift.
• Growth in Collaborative Global Giving: A new report estimates private philanthropic spending reached $68.2 billion from 2020 to 2023, with more than two-thirds of funders collaborating on four or more projects, reflecting a shift toward partnership-driven approaches that, as Brian Kastner, Director of Engagement and Global Philanthropy at the Council on Foundations, notes, will likely continue to grow.
• USAID Innovation Unit Relaunches with Philanthropic Backing: USAID’s former Development Innovation Ventures has relaunched as the independent DIV Fund with $48 million in philanthropic backing, continuing its focus on scaling cost-effective, evidence-based solutions.

Global Legal and Regulatory Updates

• India Expands Government Control Under FCRA Amendment: In March 2026, India introduced an amendment to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) that would allow the government to seize and manage the assets of NGOs whose licenses are canceled.
• Kenya Advances PBO Regulatory Framework: Kenya’s Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority (PBORA) published new regulations for public benefit organizations following consultations with civil society.
• Angola Enacts Restrictive NGO Law: Angola’s president has signed a new NGO law that significantly expands state control over civil society. The law is expected to increase oversight of nonprofit registration, funding, and operations.
• Sri Lanka Introduces New NGO Compliance Measures Under FATF Review: As part of its ongoing FATF review, Sri Lanka has introduced new anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing guidelines for NGOs, including mandatory registration and expanded reporting requirements.

Additional News and Resources

• SSIR: Making Compliance Work for Philanthropy
• The Guardian: ‘We cannot replace USAID, but we can do big things’: conservation plots a future without American money
• Alliance Magazine: Rockefeller backs Latin America extreme heat initiative 

Opinions expressed in these articles belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council.

Updated Country Notes

We’ve updated the Council’s Country Notes for Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Tanzania, reflecting recent changes in foreign funding regulations, compliance requirements, and the broader operating environment for nonprofits.

Keep in Touch!

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

View this email as a web page.