In early 2025, the U.S. government announced a 90-day pause on most foreign aid funding, followed by a decision by the U.S. Department of State to halt all new obligations and ongoing activities. This abrupt shift disrupted the international development sector, directly impacting final beneficiaries who rely on aid and placing many implementing organizations at risk. In the meantime, a growing number of donors and foundations expressed interest in reallocating funds to help offset the effects of U.S. foreign aid cuts.

In response, Rethink Priorities, a US-based think-and-do-tank, has created a practical, comprehensive framework to help individual and institutional donors to navigate this unexpected shift and adapt their funding strategies in this uncertain period.

DevelopmentAid, in collaboration with Rethink Priorities, hosted the webinar “U.S. Foreign Aid in Uncertain Times: Strategies for Giving.” The session welcomed donor agencies, foundations, NGOs, private sector representatives, and individual experts. Our guest, Tom Vargas from Rethink Priorities, provided a thorough overview of the current state of U.S. foreign aid and examined the potential consequences of the recent aid freeze, particularly within the health sector. Tom also shared valuable insights on how individuals and organizations can effectively adapt their giving strategies in response to these shifts.

Key Takeaways:

• - Get a snapshot of the current state of U.S. foreign aid
• - Understand the likely consequences of the U.S. foreign aid freeze on the health sector
• - Learn how individual donors can adapt their donation strategies
• - Discover how larger corporations should approach aid in the current climate