Greetings Friend,

Spring always brings a burst of energy, and the past few weeks have been no exception. It’s been lovely to connect with many of you, from the Skoll World Forum in Oxford to our Global Philanthropy meetup at Building Together 2026 in Seattle.

From our conversations, it’s clear that global funders are continuing to strengthen how they support grantees as the environment for global development aid continues to evolve.

New data shows that official development assistance fell 23.1% in a single year in 2025, the largest drop in ODA history. At the same time, governments from East Africa to Latin America are passing new laws that restrict foreign funding and shrink the space for civil society to operate. For many of you, these aren't distant policy issues, but factors that influence internal decisions about how to keep showing up for partners on the ground.

There are plenty of ways to stay connected and engaged with each other and the Council in the coming months. Read on for key updates across U.S. government actions, global philanthropy trends, and legal and regulatory changes that impact global grantmakers.

Upcoming Events

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

View all of our upcoming Global Regional Funder Circles.

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 Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m. ET.

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

WINGSForum 2026

This year’s WINGSForum will convene philanthropy leaders and changemakers from around the world in Montreal from September 28–30, 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

• Food for Peace Restructuring Raises Questions for Global Hunger Response: New details released this month outline how the Trump administration and Congress are reshaping Food for Peace, including efforts to permanently transfer the flagship global hunger program from USAID to USDA and require at least 50% of funding be spent on U.S.-grown commodities.
• USAID Restructuring Continues to Reshape Global Assistance: As the wind-down of USAID continues, new reporting indicates that the administration may redirect billions of dollars in already appropriated global health and development funding toward agency shutdown and closeout costs. Additional reporting also suggests USAID could spend up to $19 billion settling terminated awards, unpaid invoices, and other related closeout expenses.
• OECD Data Shows Sharpest Recorded Decline in Foreign Aid: New preliminary OECD data shows official development assistance from major donor countries fell 23.1% in 2025, the largest annual decline on record, with the U.S. driving nearly three-quarters of the drop. Humanitarian assistance fell more than 35%, adding to growing concern across the sector about the future of long-term global development and humanitarian funding.
• ‘Trade Over Aid’ Vision for Global Engagement: Trump administration officials are continuing to frame U.S. global engagement around trade, private investment, and commercial partnerships rather than traditional foreign assistance. The approach, described by officials as a move away from “dependency” and toward “self-sustaining growth,” comes as the U.S. continues major cuts and restructuring across its foreign aid system.

Global Legal and Regulatory Updates

• Reforming FARA to Protect U.S. Nonprofits: Earlier this year, a letter from over a dozen state attorneys general claimed more than 150 U.S. nonprofits should register as foreign agents simply for receiving money from non-U.S. private donors. Review ICNL's updated brief for practical guidance on navigating FARA's vague provisions.
• Uganda's "National Sovereignty Bill": Uganda's parliament is advancing a bill that would cap how much foreign funding NGOs can receive, require full disclosure of all international donations, and give authorities sweeping power to block funds deemed a threat to national sovereignty.
• Dozens of NGOs at Risk of Dissolution in Tunisia: Tunisian authorities have suspended at least 25 civil society organizations, including the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights and Lawyers Without Borders, citing concerns around foreign funding and national interests. Several organizations now face active dissolution proceedings.
• UK Aid Cuts: International aid funding for human rights work is projected to decline by as much as $1.9 billion in 2026 compared to 2023, as more traditional donor governments continue reducing overseas development assistance budgets. The UK alone cut more than £600 million from its aid budget in this year, in addition to the steep cuts made in 2025. The UK's aid to Africa is expected to fall by 56% by 2028/29, the steepest reduction among G7 countries.

Additional News and Resources

• Alliance Magazine: The 2026 Global Philanthropy Forum reveals the pillars for the future
• The Conversation: Philanthropy is reshaping global health. Here’s how
• ICRC: Humanitarian Outlook 2026: A World Succumbing to War
• Global Policy Forum: The 2026 Forum on Financing for Development: Progress or paralysis?

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!

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