Following the recent U.S. foreign aid freeze, we know that many organizations are facing uncertainty, operational challenges, and difficult decisions. As funding streams are disrupted, the impact on democracy, human rights, and civil society efforts around the world cannot be overstated.

To support our Global Democracy Coalition partners and the broader democracy community, we have compiled a set of resources that may help organizations navigate this evolving situation. We encourage you to review these resources and share them with your networks so that those affected can access the support they need. If your organization is directly impacted and requires assistance, whether through strategic coordination, advocacy, or alternative funding opportunities, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are committed to standing with our partners and identifying ways to sustain the vital work of defending democracy worldwide.

If you know of other resources that could be useful, let us know so we can share them widely. We remain committed to supporting each other, sharing solutions, and making sure no one faces this alone.

From the Global Democracy Coalition: To better understand how the freeze is affecting your organization and find meaningful ways to support you, we have put together a GDC survey. This short survey will help us get a clearer picture of the challenges you are facing and explore how we can best help during these difficult times as we are looking into the possibility of providing some emergency funding, if our donors permit it. While we cannot guarantee this support and don’t want to raise expectations we may not be able to meet, we are doing our best to explore what might be feasible. If emergency funding is not possible, we remain committed to finding other ways to support GDC partners as we navigate this crisis together.

From Accountability Lab: To better understand and document the impact of the aid freeze, Accountability Lab and Humentum have created a survey (available in English, French, and Spanish) to gather data anonymously. Your input can play a crucial role in mobilizing support and informing the response of key stakeholders. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Blair Glencorse blair@accountabilitylab.org. They recently shared findings from the second round of responses and are continuing to take submissions, so if you haven’t filled it out yet, please consider doing so.

From Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP): They are also collecting examples of how the stop-work order is impacting organizations and communities to support advocacy efforts. If you are interested in contributing, please fill out their survey, and for any questions, you can contact Nick Zuroski at nick@allianceforpeacebuilding.org.

GDC Emergency Support Fund 

The GDC Emergency Support Fund offers targeted financial relief to coalition partners affected by the aid freeze. The fund will distribute grants ranging from €2,500 to €10,000 based on financial distress and the immediate impact on democracy-related work. 

Application Form | Deadline: March 26, 2025

Eligibility Criteria: Open to all GDC partner organizations impacted by the U.S. aid freeze. 

Review Process: Managed by a Subgrant Committee to ensure transparent and fair distribution of funds. 

Other Funding Sources: 

Foreign Aid Emergency Bridge Fund: Offers flexible, trust-based grants prioritizing smaller organizations. 

NEAR Fund: Emergency grants for member organizations impacted by the 90-day aid suspension. 

MacArthur Foundation: Increasing its giving to counteract the impact of the aid freeze. 

GlobalGiving Fund: Supports organizations in financial distress due to the funding freeze. 

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation: Offers grants up to $30,000 per year to small grassroots organizations addressing social and environmental injustice. Our partner Gabe Lerner, Founder and Author of Democracy Notes shared:

The Trust for Civic Life is offering $8M for Civic Hub organizations in rural communities (Deadline: March 3).

Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund has $2.4M for 18 organizations working on a safer digital future.

Arnold Ventures seeks proposals for evidence-based social programs (Deadline: March 14).

More information here.

Latest News: 

U.S. Aid Waivers: According to Wayan Vota, USAID’s aid waivers lacked actual funding, staff, or support, highlighting the performative nature of the relief measures. 

Termination of Awards: Reports indicate that up to 50% of humanitarian awards and 90% of development awards have been or will be terminated. 

SCOTUS Ruling: The Supreme Court has blocked a $1.5 billion payout for services rendered before January 20, 2025, likely leading to widespread bankruptcies among affected contractors. 

InterAction Statement: The termination of 10,000 grants severely impacts American foreign assistance, including life-saving programs that had received prior waivers. 

Legal Measures & Compliance: 

Temporary Restraining Order (TRO): A federal judge has mandated that the U.S. Department of State must honor contracts, grants, and agreements from January 19, 2025, onwards. Blanket suspensions and terminations have been deemed likely arbitrary. 

Grants Officer Guidance: The State’s Acquisition Policy Directorate advises that expenses related to suspensions may be paid if authorized in writing by a Grants Officer. Payments should be expedited for resumed and terminated awards. 

Advocacy Actions: 

Open Letter from 35 UN Experts: Urging the U.S. government to comply with court orders, process payments, and reconsider the broader impact of the aid freeze on global freedoms and human rights. 

Statements from Legal Experts: Several prominent law firms, including WilmerHale and Hogan Lovells, are actively challenging the aid freeze through lawsuits related to illegal firings, cuts to funding, and broader human rights impacts. 

Operational Tools & Guidance: 

USAID-to-Corporate Roadmap Toolkit: Supports organizations transitioning from USAID-funded roles to private sector opportunities. Includes career resources, job search tools, and skill translation guides. 

Public Service Alliance (PSA): Provides cybersecurity, legal counsel, and physical security services to public servants and NGO staff impacted by the aid freeze. 

Professional Development & Job Opportunities: 

Democracy Fund Job Board: Features opportunities in governance, democracy, and human rights. 

Career Acceleration Series: Offers daily tasks, expert advice, and accountability to help job seekers affected by the aid freeze. 

SID-US Development Hub: Virtual career resources and live drop-in hours for job seekers. 

Support for Organizations: 

Legal Templates & Strategy Guides: Resources to help organizations challenge suspension notices, including sample letters and compliance guidance under the TRO. 

Emergency Housing & Support Services: Forms to connect affected staff with short-term housing options and volunteer support networks. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support:

Wysa App: Offers confidential, AI-powered mental health support to help cope with the stresses of the current funding crisis. 

Democracy Security Project: Provides safety and resilience training for organizations and individuals facing digital threats and operational insecurity. 

A Google document listing job seekers and job opportunities for international development professionals, which might be helpful during this period.

We know that for many, this is not just about projects—it’s about livelihoods. If you or your colleagues are looking for new opportunities, Wayan Vota shared a list of 14 career coaches, impact job boards, and hiring networks that could be helpful. You can find the full list in his post.

After the news that USAID staff globally has been placed on indefinite administrative leave, we came across a resource for emergency housing for USAID mission staff. If you or someone you know might need it, you can access it here.

Another Google Sheet with updated job listings is available here.

Devex hosted a career emergency webinar to support USAID employees, contractors, and implementing partner staff affected by the ongoing dismantling of the agency, offering guidance on navigating the job market amid the crisis and discussing next steps for those facing uncertain futures. For a recap, read their article here.

Diego Reyeros, an ESG & Development Consultant, has compiled a list of work platforms, newsletters, publications, organizations to follow, and additional resources to support people in LATAM who have been affected.  

An emergency housing form has been created to help returning USAID mission staff in need of accommodation, with volunteers offering spaces for short-term stays. The form includes details such as location, duration, and special accommodations, and aims to provide a warm, supportive environment during this challenging transition.

Expert Analysis & Reports: 

OMB Guidance on Foreign Assistance: Provides insights into future funding priorities and how organizations can align their projects with anticipated donor strategies. 

Federal Cuts Tracker Map & Global Aid Freeze Tracker: Tools to visualize the impact of U.S. funding cuts on global development and democracy initiatives. 

Educational Podcasts & Media: 

Kickback Podcast: Features discussions on the impact of U.S. aid cuts on global anti-corruption efforts, hosted by experts from Accountability Lab and Transparency International. 

LinkedIn Insights: Thought leaders like Michael Jarvis share strategies for navigating the aid freeze and maintaining accountability in democracy work. 

Additional Knowledge Products:

Our partner, Georgetown University, shared with us an additional resource that may be of interest. As they noted, in light of the uncertainty surrounding USAID’s Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) programming, understanding its history and evolution is critical. Last year, students from a Georgetown University Study Group developed a comprehensive analysis of how USAID institutionalized DRG programming and the lessons learned along the way. This resource may provide useful insights for navigating the current situation.

Efforts to Ensure the U.S. Honors Its Paris Agreement Commitments Despite the Freeze: Bloomberg Initiative

Suspension of U.S. Media Aid and the Call for European Donors to Mobilize: European Journalists’ Network

Brookings published an analysis of the Trump administration’s USAID changes and their impact.

The Center for Global Development has an important blog post on preventing deaths during the 90-day assistance freeze. 

There is also an advocacy campaign by VSquare emphasizing the importance of supporting independent journalism during this crisis.

Humentum: Navigating the USG Funding Pause for Foreign Assistance Programs: Guidance Document.

Government Employee Unions Sue Trump Administration for Shutting Down USAID.

New Humentum Poll Results highlight the severe impact of the freeze, including layoffs and stalled programs. A follow-up survey is planned, and additional guidance is available through their Resource Hub.

USAID-to-Corporate Toolkit is a comprehensive toolkit is designed to simplify the transition and empower you with the right tools.  It includes AI-powered resume formatting, a corporate translation tool, and a job-hunting guide.

If you are an American public servant, or know any, you might want to know about a new organization, the Public Service Alliance (PSA). As attacks on public servants increase, the PSA is offering advice on privacy and cybersecurity, physical safety, access to legal counsel and more. For more information, please view their website and announcement.

CIVICUS has announced a call for action for philanthropy to step up with immediate, flexible funding for local actors.

In response to termination orders, the State Capture Network has outlined a letter template that an implementer can use to challenge the suspension notice they received. The letter references Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs) that invalidate the suspension, emphasizing that no federal agency can pause or freeze funding under the current executive orders. 

Josh Lerner of People Powered put out a statement warning that the US is facing a coup attempt, citing the illegal actions of a billionaire oligarch gaining control over federal financial systems and government agencies, with significant implications for democracy.

Additionally, a spreadsheet tracking USAID terminations and an attached document with further information are available for reference.

For people who do not live in DC (and have no vote in Congress) here is a way to make your voice heard on the importance of restoring the lifesaving assistance. 

Share Your Experience: 

Call for Testimonials: GDC is gathering stories about how the aid freeze has impacted democracy work globally. Partners can contribute via short videos or written testimonials to support advocacy efforts and document the crisis’s impact. 

Engage with Advocacy Networks: 

Public Testimonies in DC: Opportunities to share firsthand experiences at live hearings, providing valuable insights into the real-world impact of funding disruptions. 

Open Calls: 

Marcia R.: Seeking stories about the humanitarian impact of the USAID stop-work order. 

Adam Reichardt: Collecting data on the impact of U.S. funding cuts in Central and Eastern Europe. 

Kourtney Pomi: Tracking impacts on terminated or furloughed staff through a confidential survey. 

A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) has been issued, temporarily halting enforcement of the freeze. This means that existing grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements in place as of January 19, 2025, should not be suspended, paused, or terminated under the current order.

Over 200 former U.S. national security and humanitarian officials have signed a letter urging Congress to intervene and halt the aid suspension, warning that cutting assistance weakens U.S. global leadership and benefits geopolitical adversaries.

Abby Maxman, CEO of Oxfam America, Oxfam America has joined a lawsuit with Public Citizen, Democracy Forward, and others to challenge the foreign aid freeze and USAID’s dismantling. More details here.

We came across a Google document on Navigating Crisis: Community Solutions for U.S. Policy Changes & Foreign Aid Halt, which includes information on emergency support, transition funding, collaboration and peer support, policy updates, and advocacy efforts, as well as upcoming events. 

Devex Discussion on the Aid Freeze and Its Implications: Devex YouTube Video (free).

Legal and Policy Updates on the Aid Freeze: Nichols Liu Law Firm and corresponding PowerPoint

Two webinars hosted by Olga W. to help organizations navigate possible next steps once funding is unpaused or terminated. One focused on Grants & Cooperative Agreements (February 6), and the other on Contracts & Termination Settlements (February 7). 

Recognizing the toll this crisis is taking not only on projects but also on individuals, we also wanted to share a mental health and emotional support session that was hosted by Courtney Mallow on February 6. This free online event was designed for humanitarians and aid workers to navigate uncertainty together, offering financial strategies, stress management tools, and a space for connection. You could register here.

Senator Chris Van Hollen is also gathering information through a Senate survey to document the impact of the aid freeze. If you are a Maryland resident, you can participate here.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senate colleagues hosted a roundtable discussion on the national security implications of halting U.S. foreign assistance and closing the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).