Greetings Friend,

Across the globe, shifting laws and policies governing civil society are changing what’s possible for funders supporting local nonprofits. In Latin America, six countries have passed or reformed laws since 2024 that constrain how CSOs register, access foreign funding, and operate. At the same time, international cooperation funding continues to decline.

A wave of elections from Brazil to Peru, as well as Colombia’s upcoming presidential runoff, has deepened uncertainty about the operating environment for civil society. The latest example is a bill currently under consideration in Argentina that would require organizations engaged in public policy to register publicly, disclose foreign ties, and file quarterly reports, with criminal penalties for noncompliance.

Across Asia and the Pacific, foreign funding restrictions have become a primary pressure point for CSOs, with governments increasingly using registration and licensing requirements to limit what organizations can receive and from who. For example, in India, as of March 2026, 21,933 organizations had lost their FCRA licenses since the law was significantly tightened in 2020, cutting off essential funds and often forcing closure.

The FCRA Amendment Bill introduced this year would go further, allowing a government-appointed authority to seize assets built with foreign contributions--from schools to hospitals to places of worship--if an organization loses its registration. It drew unusual pushback from religious groups and political parties and was deferred ahead of Kerala's state elections, but is expected back in Parliament next month.

The Council is monitoring these, and other global policy developments that impact global grantmakers, closely. We encourage you to join upcoming Latin America and Caribbean and Asia-Pacific Funder Circles to share what you're seeing, connect with peers, and stay current on the legal, regulatory, and security trends shaping this work.

Upcoming Events

Biweekly 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 June 19 at 10 a.m. ET.

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

Philanthropy and Think Tanks Joint Action in the G20 U.S.

The Council on Foundations and WINGS are partnering with Think Tanks 20 (T20) to create collaboration opportunities for philanthropy during this year’s U.S.-hosted G20 process. Members are invited to express interest in joint initiatives including policy research, convenings, and legacy projects by June 25, 2026. This year's T20 theme focuses on knowledge and continuity for better policymaking, offering members pathways to engage thought leaders, build cross-sector alliances, and advance equity and justice.

Questions can be directed to WINGS G20 Coordinator Reon van der Merwe via email.

Shaping Democratic Futures, Cultivating Hope

The Connecting Communities in the Americas 2026 Virtual Gathering takes place June 22–26, bringing together leaders from across the region to explore democracy, civil society, human rights, emerging foundations, and strategies for strengthening democratic futures through dialogue and cross-regional connection.

Learn more and register.

Regional Funder Circles

Hosted by the Council on Foundations in partnership with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), these peer spaces bring together global grantmakers to connect and discuss emerging legal, regulatory, and security developments affecting philanthropy and civil society.

Both Regional Funder Circles met earlier this week and had great conversations about issues facing funders in each region. You can register for an upcoming session below.

• Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle continues to convene funders working across the region. Register and join us at our next meeting will be July 15 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
• Asia-Pacific Funder Circle continues to convene funders working across the region. Register and join us at our next meeting will be July 14 at 10 a.m. ET.

View all of our upcoming Global Regional Funder Circles.

WINGSForum 2026

This year’s WINGSForum will convene philanthropy leaders and changemakers from around the world in Montreal from September 28–30, and will be focused on moving from intention to action during a time of global uncertainty. Building on past themes of imagining and transforming philanthropy, this year’s convening centers on how the sector can work together with greater accountability, collaboration, and courage.

Learn more and register.

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

• White House Releases 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy: The White House released its 2026 U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy on May 6, identifying narcoterrorism networks, Islamist terrorist groups, and violent left-wing extremists as key threats. While the strategy primarily focuses on foreign terrorism, it does include language on domestic threats driven by anti-American extremism, a continuation of the rhetoric in National Security Presidential Memorandum 7. The strategy has drawn attention from CSOs about how counterterrorism authorities may be applied in an environment already marked by heightened scrutiny of nonprofits, foreign funding, and advocacy activities.
• International Philanthropic Flows Remain an Area of Congressional Attention: Congressional scrutiny of foreign funding in the nonprofit sector, as well as U.S. dollars granted overseas, continues to grow, with recent inquiries examining donor-advised funds, fiscal sponsorship arrangements, and international funding flows. Although there is increased attention and scrutiny, no new requirements have been enacted. 
• U.N. Financial Pressures: The United Nations is warning that persistent funding shortfalls are affecting its ability to operate at full capacity, with budget constraints leading to spending reductions across parts of the organization. The funding gaps are adding pressure to a global system already struggling to keep pace with rising humanitarian and development needs.

Philanthropy News

• Ebola Response Faces Funding Shortfalls: As the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda continues to expand, health officials are warning that response efforts are being hampered by funding shortfalls, with pledged support falling significantly in recent weeks even as case counts rise.
• The International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS) is now available in Spanish: The free resource offers a simplified grant reporting framework designed to harmonize requirements across funders, reducing administrative burden and keeping the focus on impact. The Oak Foundation is already putting INPAS into practice, watch this video to hear directly from its grantees on what the shift has meant.

Global Legal and Regulatory Updates

• Uganda Protection of Sovereignty Act Now Law: Uganda's Protection of Sovereignty Act was signed into law by President Museveni on May 17, 2026. The law criminalizes actions deemed to promote foreign interests against Uganda's, and labels individuals or groups receiving foreign funding as "agents of foreigners," with prison sentences of up to 20 years.
• Guatemala’s New Attorney General: The appointment of a new attorney general on May 17, 2026 offers cautious hope for Guatemala's civil society, after years of criminalization targeting defenders, journalists, and indigenous leaders. But with a dormant 2020 NGO law still on the books and ongoing terrorism charges against indigenous leaders, the environment remains fragile heading into a critical election year.
• Kyrgyzstan Legislative and Banking Challenges: ICNL published new analysis in May 2026 on the legal status of initiative groups in Uzbekistan (published in Russian and English) and separately tracked draft amendments to peaceful assembly laws in Kyrgyzstan.
• Tunisia’s FATF Implementation: A new ICNL report examines how Tunisia is implementing FATF Recommendation 8 and its impact on CSOs, highlighting concerns about broad regulatory measures, increased banking restrictions, and heightened scrutiny of nonprofits, despite evidence of strong compliance across much of the sector.

Additional News and Resources

• Devex Pro Insider: Unlock Aid and the future of disruption
• Devex: Can Africa pay for its own outbreaks? Ebola offers an early test
• Chronicle of Philanthropy: U.S. Nonprofit Sector Is Pushing Back Against an ‘Authoritarian Playbook’

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 Canada, South Africa, and Uganda reflecting recent changes in foreign funding regulations, compliance requirements, and the broader operating environment for nonprofits.

Keep in Touch!

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