Global Philanthropy Updates

Global grantmakers stand at a crossroads, faced with a choice to embrace new ways of operating that center and directly support local organizations or rely on systems that reinforce unbalanced power structures. For U.S. foundations, this choice comes at a time when USAID has recommitted to new ways…

Overview On April 15, conflict broke out in Sudan initiated by two opposing military factions. While the majority of fighting remains in the country's capital, Khartoum, and attempts at peace talks are underway, the conflict has already resulted in the deaths of more than 500 civilians, upwards of…

In this edition of the Global Philanthropy Update we are continuing to monitor the recovery in Türkiye and Syria, reflected on a year of Russia's war on Ukraine, and shared the 2022 State of Global Giving.

With the war in Ukraine far from over, the immediate wave of support from philanthropy has dwindled. However, the war continues to have devastating impacts on Ukraine, Ukrainians globally, global food insecurity, and the global economy.  In partnership with the Community Foundations of Canada…

This edition of the Global Philanthropy Update highlights the kickoff of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly(UNGA) and upcoming panel conversation hosted in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and WINGS, Philanthropy’s Role in Realizing the Localization Agenda.

It has been an eventful year for new laws targeting nonprofits and philanthropy across the world. We know you have many questions and concerns about the rapidly changing state of global giving; join us at a Legal Office Hours event for international grantmakers on June 16 (see the News and…

Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony for the record on the subject of “Enhancing the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938.” We commend the committee for holding a hearing on this important topic as nonprofit organizations continue to respond to global crises and seek…

View our conversation with Michael D. Smith, newly appointed CEO of AmeriCorps! The conversation, hosted in partnership with Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement, explored how philanthropy and AmeriCorps (the federal agency for national service and volunteering) can connect to advance the…

Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony for the record on the subject of “Examining Charitable Giving and Trends in the Nonprofit Sector.” We commend the committee for holding this hearing during a pivotal moment for nonprofits and their philanthropic partners. The Council on…

Funders around the world have sprung into action to support those at risk during the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Eastern Europe. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 has already resulted in more than 800,000 Ukrainians fleeing the conflict and seeking refuge abroad. As the conflict…

The Council on Foundations and the U.S. State Department hosted an urgent discussion on how philanthropy can best support the humanitarian response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feburary 24, 2022. Representatives from the State Department Office of Global Partnerships and the…

Overview Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, a humanitarian and economic disaster has rippled across the world. We will continue to update this page as the crisis unfolds and more information becomes available. As of April 30, 2025 Candid has tracked: 7,748 grants worth $2,…

WASHINGTON, DC - The Council on Foundations announced today that it will convene a new task force in the coming months to lift up clear ethical standards for members and to underscore philanthropy’s profound responsibility to the greater good. This task force, chaired by Jamie Merisotis,…

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the philanthropic community recognized the critical need to respond with fierce urgency to support nonprofit partners. Over 800 organizations pledged to ease or eliminate restrictions on grants and reduce what is asked of grantees, aiming to support to…

The Council and the Partnership for Public Service have teamed up to create the IPA Philanthropy Talent Pipeline, a new opportunity for foundations to loan staff and grantee experts to federal agencies for a limited “tour of duty.” The Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) permits federal…

WASHINGTON, DC - On Feb. 3, 2022, Representatives Pingree (ME-1), Reed (NY-23), Khanna (CA-17) and Porter (CA-45) introduced the Accelerating Charitable Efforts Act, the House companion bill to S.1981. The following statement is attributable to Council on Foundations president and CEO Kathleen…