Greetings Friend,

Join our first Latin America and Caribbean funder circle of the year on January 22 at 11 a.m. ET, in partnership with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). The conversation will focus on recent developments in Venezuela, with ICNL sharing what they’re hearing from local partners, followed by an open discussion on funder questions and needs.

Register today

Legal and Regulatory Resources

Global Development in Transition: U.S. Government Updates

• U.S. Aid Pledge Reshapes Humanitarian Response: The U.S. has pledged $2 billion in humanitarian aid, but with strict conditions that require the UN to direct the funding to 17 U.S. designated priority countries, excluding major crisis areas like Afghanistan and Yemen.
• U.S. Foreign Aid Model Shifts: The Trump administration is restructuring global health aid by directing a large share of funding to partner governments rather than through NGOs and contractors. The near-term question is whether this transition can move quickly while maintaining accountability, oversight, and uninterrupted service delivery.

Global Philanthropy Updates

• Alliance’s Look Ahead to 2026: This series brings together voices from global philanthropy leaders on what’s likely to define the year. Natalie Ross, Vice President of Membership, Development, and Finance at the Council on Foundations notes philanthropy is facing strong headwinds at home, yet many foundations are continuing to push forward to meet rising need.

Global Legal and Regulatory Updates

• When Anti-Corruption Efforts Constrain Civic Space: This report published by ICNL examines how anti-corruption laws and policies can be misused or poorly designed in ways that restrict civil society. It outlines six common risk areas and offers practice recommendations to protect civic freedoms while strengthening accountability.
• Gaza Aid Groups Face Suspensions Under New Israeli Rules: Israel says it will suspend authorization for more than three dozen aid groups in Gaza starting January 1 unless they comply with new registration requirements, including providing staff details for review. Humanitarian organizations and several foreign ministers warn the move could disrupt already strained operations.
• Kyrgyzstan's Mass Media Law: Earlier in 2025, Kyrgyzstan's revised Mass Media Law raised concerns that civil society organizations’ online channels could be treated as “mass media,” triggering new registration and compliance burdens. This recent analysis explains the risk and recommends targeted guidance to prevent misapplication. 

Additional News and Resources

• Philanthropy News Digest: 2025 Roundup: International aid
• Alliance Magazine: Philanthropy ‘slower’ to respond to foreign aid cuts than Covid pandemic
• Center for Global Development: Update on Lives Lost from USAID Cuts

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

New Member Spotlight

Welcome to global grantmaker and new Council member: the Tinker Foundation!

Keep in Touch!

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

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