Understanding the impact of funding cuts and shaping our response
For civil society, 2025 started with a seismic shock. The sudden and unforeseen USAID funding freeze had extensive and far-reaching implications for the aid sector as a whole.
In response, CIVICUS launched a survey among our members, networks and communities, to collect their valuable insights and perspectives. This survey helps us, and our community, understand the impact of funding reductions. It will enable us collectively to hone our strategic planning, and advocacy efforts.
The purpose of the survey
By collecting data directly from our members, networks, and across civil society, we will gain a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This information will be crucial in helping us adapt to the new funding landscape as a global community. The information will enable us to deliver on our mission of promoting citizen action and civic space effectively.
We have already completed the first survey cycle. The initial results are explored here. We will also continue listening and adapting our questions as the context evolves. You can find the links to the survey below.
Work Affected by Funding Cuts: Themes
We asked how survey participants' work has been affected by the funding cuts and the stop work order. These are the main thematic areas affected.
Financial Stability
We asked survey participants "How many months’ worth of financial resources do you have to keep your organisation operational?"
Mitigation Strategies
We asked survey participants “What strategies are you using to address or adapt to the challenges posed by the funding cut?”
Diversification
of Funding
Sources
- Seeking alternative donors: Organizations are actively looking for funding from European, African, and Asian foundations, private companies, and international NGOs.
- Exploring Local Fundraising & Domestic Grants – Seeking support from local businesses, community benefactors, and government programs.
- Community-Based Resource Mobilization – Engaging grassroots networks, volunteers, and community contributions to sustain operations.
- Crowdfunding & individual donations: Some are launching donation campaigns, using online fundraising platforms, and appealing to individual donors.
- Government & institutional partnerships: Lobbying for increased funding from national governments, corporate sponsors, and faith-based institutions.
- Social enterprise models: Developing income-generating activities, such as paid training programs, consultancy services, or small businesses.
- Membership contributions: Encouraging financial contributions from staff, volunteers, and local supporters.
Cost Optimization
& Operational
Adjustments
- Staff reductions & salary cuts: Many organizations have reduced staff numbers, placed employees on unpaid leave, or shifted to volunteer-based operations.
- Scaling down activities: Some are pausing or shutting down less critical programs, prioritizing only the most essential services.
- Remote work & office downsizing: Organizations are reducing office rent costs by moving to online operations or co-sharing office spaces.
- Budget restructuring: Implementing strict spending controls, reducing non-essential expenditures, and renegotiating supplier contracts.
- Using in-kind resources: Relying more on local donations, shared resources, and community-driven initiatives.
Strengthening
Partnerships &
Collaboration
- Joint project implementation: Partnering with other NGOs, community-based organizations, and local institutions to pool resources and co-fund programs.
- Advocacy & coalition-building: Collaborating with networks of civil society actors to push for policy changes, emergency funding, and long-term financial sustainability.
- Policy & Donor Engagement – Strengthening relationships with existing donors and lobbying for increased support.
- Engaging the private sector: Seeking sponsorships, strategic alliances, and public-private partnerships to secure resources.
Programme
Prioritisation
& Adaption
- Focusing on high-impact, low-cost initiatives: Organizations are concentrating on core services, such as advocacy, community mobilization, and policy engagement.
- Leveraging volunteer work: Expanding the use of volunteers and peer-led community initiatives to sustain service delivery.
- Digital transformation: Shifting to virtual engagements, online training, and digital advocacy to continue outreach while cutting operational costs.
Innovative
Fundraising
Approaches
- Social enterprise development: Establishing cooperatives, agricultural projects, or selling services to generate income.
- Leveraging local economies: Encouraging community savings groups, cooperative farming, and locally funded initiatives.
- Corporate sponsorship & philanthropy: Engaging businesses and corporate social responsibility programs for financial and in-kind support.
Advocacy &
Awareness
Campaign
- Mobilizing international attention: Engaging policymakers, international organizations, and diplomatic missions to highlight the impact of funding cuts.
- Grassroots activism: Organizing protests, petitions, and digital advocacy campaigns to push for sustained support.
- Media engagement: Using traditional and social media to spread awareness and attract new donors.
Resilience &
Long-Term
Sustainability
- Media engagement: Using traditional and social media to spread awareness and attract new donors.
- Training & capacity building: Equipping staff with fundraising, grant-writing, and financial management skills to navigate financial uncertainties.
- Self-sufficiency projects: Developing sustainable models, such as agriculture, vocational training, and community-led initiatives.
- Emergency Reserve & Crisis Fund Development – Establishing internal reserve funds to sustain critical activities during financial crises
- Hybrid funding models: Exploring multi-channel revenue streams to reduce reliance on external donors.
Non-Financial Support Needs
We asked survey participants “What support, other than funding, do you need to better address these challenges?”
Capacity Building &
Organisational
Strengthening
- Training & Technical Assistance: Organizations need skill development in fundraising, proposal writing, financial management, and project sustainability.
- Strategic Planning Support: Guidance in long-term sustainability planning, resource diversification, and social entrepreneurship.
- Capacity Building for digital security, advocacy & governance
- Monitoring & Evaluation support to improve impact assessment
- Leadership Development: Coaching and mentorship programs and training for CSO leaders to navigate challenges and advocate for policy changes.
- Crisis Management Training: Preparedness training for financial instability, legal risks, and security threats.
Access to
Technology &
Digital Tools
- IT Equipment & Software: Many organizations require laptops, internet access, and secure communication tools.
- Cybersecurity Training: Protection from digital threats, government surveillance, and hacking; protect sensitive data and online activism
- Data Management & Impact Measurement Tools: Assistance in data collection, reporting, and evidence-based advocacy.
Networking,
Collaboration &
Knowledge Exchange
- Partnerships & Peer Learning: Connecting with international and regional NGOs, private sector actors, and academic institutions.
- Supporting grassroots and community-based organizations through networking and partnerships
- Strengthening ties with multilateral institutions and advocacy groups.
- Consortium Building: Joint applications for funding and shared resource mobilization strategies.
- Information & Best Practices Sharing: Learning from organizations that have successfully diversified funding.
Advocacy,
Public Relations
& Visibility
- Media & Public Awareness Campaigns: Strengthening visibility to attract new donors, highlight successes, and counter negative narratives.
- Government & Policy Engagement: Advocacy support to influence national and international policies affecting civic space.
- Strengthening advocacy efforts to influence global and national policies on civic space and funding sustainability.
- Developing a collective narrative to advocate for more diverse funding sources
- Solidarity & International Representation: Amplifying local voices in global forums to push for funding and policy reforms.
Alternative
Resource
Mobilisation
- Social Enterprises & Income-Generating Activities: Training in developing commercial ventures to sustain operations.
- Crowdfunding & Online Fundraising Support: Technical guidance on launching online campaigns.
- Encouragement of local philanthropy and grassroots contributions
- Local & Domestic Resource Mobilization: Capacity building on engaging private sector partners, government grants, and community donations.
Human
Resource &
Volunteer support
- Professional Volunteers: Legal advisors, IT specialists, communications experts, and grant writers offering pro bono services.
- Internships & Fellowships: Engaging students and young professionals to support organizations’ work.
- Mental Health & Psychosocial Support: Addressing burnout, stress, and emotional fatigue among CSO staff.
- Psychological support for individuals and organizations facing crisis situations, including activists and vulnerable groups.
In kind
donations &
logistical support
- Office Space & Infrastructure: Access to shared co-working spaces, internet connectivity, and printing facilities.
- Office supplies, computers, printers, internet access, and other technological resources.
- Transportation & Mobility Support: Motorcycles, bicycles, or transport allowances for fieldwork.
- Modern digital tools to enhance operations, including software for financial management and communication.
- Essential Supplies: Menstrual hygiene products, educational materials, food, clothing, medical supplies, and agricultural tools.
Legal &
Security
Assistance
- Legal Protection for Human Rights Defenders: Pro bono legal support for activists facing persecution.
- Crisis Response & Security Planning: Emergency relocation mechanisms, safe spaces, and digital security protocols.
- Legal aid and protection mechanisms for human rights defenders under threat.
- Protection from Political Attacks: Addressing smear campaigns, misinformation, and state repression.
Research, Data
Access &
Policy Influence
- Access to Research & Reports: Information on funding trends, civic space restrictions, and donor priorities.
- Creating learning platforms for organizations to share experiences and strategies
- Policy Brief Development: Support in crafting advocacy materials for engagement with policymakers.
- Support in documenting and disseminating success stories and impact reports.
- Impact Evaluation & Reporting: Strengthening evidence-based storytelling to attract new supporters.
International
Solidarity &
Collective Action
- Coalition Building & Joint Advocacy: Forming alliances to respond to global funding cuts and political threats.
- Emergency Funds & Rapid Response Mechanisms: Establishing crisis intervention funds for organizations affected by donor withdrawals.
- Engagement with Non-US Donors: Exploring partnerships with European, African, and Asian funding agencies.
What Can Civil Society Do?
- Build stronger alliances among civil society organizations (CSOs) to share knowledge, resources, and advocacy strategies.
- Form a global CSO support network to coordinate responses to funding cuts.
- Develop South-South partnerships to foster self-reliance and mutual support.
- Enhance resource and knowledge-sharing platforms to strengthen civil society infrastructure.
A Collection of Resources and Opportunities for Civil Society
We asked survey participants “What support, other than funding, do you need to better address these challenges?” To respond to the immediate needs of civil society, we gathered this collection of resources, which we hope to add to over time.
Capacity
Building
- Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA) - Leadership training and coaching
- Local Leadership Labs guiding manual
- AGA Khan Foundation’s (AKF) Learning Hub
Digital Technology
& Tools
- TechSoup - Provides technology resources, discounts, and support to CSOs
- The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) - Defends digital privacy, free expression, and innovation
- Amnesty's Digital security resource hub
- CyberPeace Builders - Cyber support for NGOs
Legal & Security
Assistance
- VUKA! Protest support handbook – A phonebook on who to contact for support
- A4AID - Pro bono legal support for NGOs
- Thomson Reuters Foundation - Pro bono legal support for NGOs
- Lawyers without Borders - Pro bono legal support for NGOs
- Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) - Legal support for asylum seekers and migrants
- FENIX Humanitarian Legal Aid - Legal support for asylum seekers and migrants (only available in Greece)
- Refugee Rights - Legal support for asylum seekers and migrants.
Network, Collaborate
& Exchange
- CIVICIS Youth Action Lab (YAL) Playbook – A collection of resources, learnings and recommendations for donors and youth partners.
- The Hague Humanity Hub - An online and in-person hub for organizations working on peace, justice, and humanitarian issues.
- GlobalGiving Network - Helps grassroots NGOs access funding and connect with international donors.
- Alliance Magazine Networks - Brings together philanthropy professionals and civil society actors.
- Ashoka Network - A global network of social entrepreneurs who collaborate on impactful initiatives.
- Impact Hub Global – A co-working and networking community focused on social innovation.
- The B Corp Movement – A platform that connects civil society with purpose-driven businesses.
- Atlantic Fellows Program – Supports leaders working on equity and social justice issues.
- Skoll World Forum – A platform for social entrepreneurs and CSOs to collaborate on innovative solutions.
Advocacy &
Visibility
- CIVICUS Statement - Key asks to Philanthropy
- CIVICUS Crisis Response Fund (CRF) - Supports civil society organisations and initiatives facing new restrictions
- Legal Action Worldwide – Youth-led advocacy online course
- Amnesty Strategic Litigation
- Disability Rights Fund - Provides funding and support to disability led organizations advocating for rights under the CRPD
- Human Rights Watch
- Open Society Foundation
- Front Line Defenders - Provides emergency support and protection for human rights advocates at risk
- Amplify Change - Funds advocacy projects focusing on sexual and reproductive health and rights
- Urgent Action Fund - Offers rapid response funding for activists facing immediate threats
Resource
Mobilisation
HR & Volunteer
Support
- "Change maker" jobs board
- UNDP Job Page
- United Nation Jobs
- Volunteer Match
- Council of Non-Profits - Pro bono skilled volunteers support
In Kind &
Logistical
- Nepal Accountability Lab - Offers space in Kathmandu for CSO's to work, connect, navigate challenges together
- Fundacion SEUR – Support CSOs by lending their logistical capacity
Solidarity & Collective
Action
- CIVICUS Protest resilience toolkit
- The Community Engagement Toolkit - Tools for planning more purposeful, equitable, transparent, and strategic community engagement
- The Collective Action Toolkit (2nd edition) - Activities and methods that enable groups to organize, collaborate, and create solutions for their communities
- Interdependence: Global Solidarity and Local Actions Toolkit
- Civil Society Toolbox - Toolkit for capacity building
Other
Resources
If your organisation is affected by the US funding cuts, we invite you to share your experiences and ideas in the survey below:
For more information contact us at:
