Unlock Aid

"As we continue providing essential services in Ethiopia, this emergency funding is a lifeline that ensures the continuity of our HIV-related services, protecting the health and well-being of the communities we serve. In times of crisis, sustaining care is not just essential—it’s lifesaving.” This, from Yonas Mamo Zewude of alignAfrica, a Foreign Aid Bridge Fund Grant Recipient alignAfrica is one of nearly 500 organizations that have reached out to the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund, seeking financial support when their USAID funding stopped. To continue providing life saving services is not a "nice to have." It's a must. In under a month, the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund has secured $650,000 from more than 200 donors, which has allowed us to provide grants to incredible organizations around the world. But there is more we can do. We estimate at least $5 million is needed in the next 30 days to respond to the other organizations we've heard from. Please join us in helping ensure critically important health, food security, refugee support and other basic needs?are met around the world. Donate today and keep your eyes peeled for our next mobilization call and update, March 27. https://lnkd.in/gPCbrYTC

??Moving Beyond Outdated Choices U.S. investments around the world matter—a lot. Not just for the communities they support abroad, but for the jobs, health, and security they safeguard here at home. The current debate about the future of U.S. foreign aid is trapped in a false, binary choice: either defend the status quo or drastically cut funding. This oversimplified framing serves neither American interests nor those of our partners around the world. We believe there's a better alternative: a third path. ?? Two years ago, we launched a global listening tour engaging hundreds of innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, diaspora groups, national security experts, and faith communities across the United States and around the world. We asked a fundamental question: If we could start over, what would we do differently? This wasn't theoretical planning. It was preparation. Last year, we warned in Foreign Policy that, if elected, President Trump would likely attempt to eliminate U.S. foreign aid. We urged proponents to develop a better model rather than simply opposing changes. ?? Today, we're proud to announce Aid Reimagined: The New American Foreign Partnership Standard — our blueprint for the #AidWeWant that offers a third path forward. Instead of outdated, top-down aid models, we're advocating for a new standard rooted in investment, partnership, and economic opportunity. This is the model communities worldwide have told us they want — and it’s the best way to advance shared prosperity. ?? Read more about our vision for the future of U.S. global engagement in our latest Substack post. #AidWeWant #AidReimagined #FutureofForeignPolicy CC: U.S. Department of State

?? Breaking News: Unlock Aid Unveils 'Aid Reimagined: The New American Foreign Partnership Standard' ?? Today, we're proud to release Aid Reimagined: The New American Foreign Partnership Standard — a new standard informed by a two-year global listening tour engaging hundreds of social innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, diaspora groups, national security experts, and faith communities across the United States and around the world. In an open letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Unlock Aid—a coalition of 100+ organizations—outlined six bold standards for smarter, results-driven partnerships that deliver maximum impact for both U.S. citizens and global partners. Advancing What Works ? Promote Jobs & Economic Growth ? Protect Public Health ? Invest in Innovation, Scale What Works ? Drive Mutually-Beneficial Partnerships ? Prioritize Results Over Process ? Require Strategic Exits, Self-Reliance Stopping What Doesn’t Work ? Stop Programs Without Clear Transitions ? Stop Bureaucratic Barriers ? Stop Low-Impact Projects ? Stop Top-Down Programs ? Stop Funding Middlemen These new standards are designed to deliver real impact—accelerating global progress while ensuring every taxpayer dollar works harder for American families. It's time to end the binary debate about whether to provide aid or cut it altogether. Instead, let's chart a new path forward—one that reflects the #AidWeWant. Read our press release here: https://lnkd.in/eNrewqPe Read our letter to U.S. Department of State Secretary Rubio here: https://lnkd.in/eGQtMbKj #AidWeWant #AidReimagined U.S. Department of State House Committee on Foreign Affairs United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations U.S. House Appropriations Committee

?? Please join us in welcoming Daniel Handel as our new Policy Director! We're at an inflection point that will determine the future of American engagement with the rest of the world. Unlock Aid is charging forward with bold, transformative solutions to help us move beyond the binary debate of simply cutting aid versus maintaining the status quo. Starting this week, we're presenting a third way forward that serves American interests while creating sustainable partnerships globally. With over a decade at USAID, where he pioneered their work on cash benchmarking, and recent leadership at 3ie, where he helped major donor organizations improve their use of evidence, Daniel brings a breadth and depth of experience to translate big ideas into practical recommendations for action. We're excited to have Daniel join us at this critical moment. Join us in welcoming Daniel to the team as we shape a new era of foreign assistance. ??

?? "US foreign aid cuts leave a funding gap private donors are unlikely to fill" - The Associated Press this morning. ?? "Those who care about foreign aid need to put together an inspiring vision for what a new future can look like that Americans can get behind." - Walter Kerr, our Co-Executive Director quoted in the article. ?? With USAID dismantled, private philanthropy can't fill the entire $64B gap—but can help bridge organizations to what comes next. ?? At Unlock Aid, we'll be unveiling a new vision for foreign assistance (stay tuned!) – and we’re taking immediate action to fund organizations while they transition to new funding models with the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund. ?? This week, the Grants Investment Committee made its latest round of six grant recommendations to organizations spanning Africa and South Asia, demonstrating the fund’s ability to move funds in an emergency. ?? To date, we’ve received close to 500 requests for assistance. We are grateful to those foundations that have responded to the urgency - Vibrant Village Foundation, deLaski Family Foundation, Unorthodox Philanthropy, Kanika Metre, and more than 200 donors - but the needs are still enormous. ?? DONATE NOW to the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund to support frontline organizations so they can continue to do life-saving and critically important work around the world: https://lnkd.in/gPCbrYTC #ForeignAid #GlobalDevelopment #UnlockAid https://lnkd.in/gC8Etd3J

?? BREAKING: Supreme Court rules 5-4 against freezing $2B in foreign aid ?? BUT... Lower courts must still clarify which obligations must be fulfilled and when. ?? This means: → Thousands of frontline organizations remain in limbo? → Life-saving health services for HIV/AIDS and TB patients at risk? → Children without access to essential care? → Critical malaria prevention efforts threatened ?? That's why the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund is so vital right now. In just TWO WEEKS, we've: ?? Received 400+ applications for emergency support ?? Emergency funds have already been awarded to an initial round of grantees, demonstrating the true emergency nature of this fund ?? 100% of raised funding goes directly to organizations Your contribution TODAY provides a lifeline to organizations that can't wait for court decisions. Every dollar makes an immediate difference! ?? As one grantee told us: "This emergency funding is a lifeline... In times of crisis, sustaining care is not just essential—it's lifesaving." ?? Click here to donate or learn more about The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund: https://lnkd.in/gPCbrYTC

?? Foreign Aid Bridge Fund: First Grants Awarded ?? "This emergency funding is a lifeline that ensures continuity of our HIV-related services, protecting the health and well-being of the communities we serve. In times of crisis, sustaining care is not just essential—it’s lifesaving." - Foreign Aid Bridge Fund grantee Just two weeks ago, we launched the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund to prevent critical health services from disappearing overnight due to the U.S. foreign aid freeze. Today, we’re proud to share that the first grants have been awarded—getting resources to communities in East, West, and Southern Africa, as well as the Caribbean. What we’ve accomplished in just 14 days: ?? 250+ applications received from frontline organizations ?? Independent Grants Investment Committee established to vet and make grant recommendations ?? 30+ volunteers mobilized to process applications, engage donors, and spread awareness ?? Donor call with nearly 200 participants, urging major philanthropies to step up ?? $600,000 raised in days from individual donors, DAFs, and family foundations ?? Media coverage in AP, Devex, and Alliance Magazine First Grants Awarded: - Two non-profit organizations ensuring children and adults living with HIV/AIDS & TB continue to receive treatment - Another sustaining humanitarian support for vulnerable communities - And another ensuring continued high-quality malaria care A Call to Action The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund isn’t just filling urgent gaps—it’s funding frontline organizations that are: impact-driven, sustainable, and community-centered. We’ve raised nearly $600,000 — and we need to hit $1M this week to keep essential services running. ?? Donate today: https://lnkd.in/gPCbrYTC #ForeignAid #GlobalDevelopment #Philanthropy #BridgeFund https://lnkd.in/gAm8U7vJ CC: Smarter Good, Inc. Jane Leu LENDonate, Inc. Vivienne Hsu, CFA Panorama Global Mulago Joanne Sonenshine #HalfMyDAF Jennifer Risher Every.org Allison Fine Alix Peterson Zwane Krishna Jafa Rohit Gawande Phyllis Kurlander Costanza Laliteswar Kumar Ineza Mutimura Almaz Negash

?? Today's great The Associated Press article highlights four critical points as the world responds to the U.S. foreign aid funding freeze: 1?? The U.S. foreign aid freeze is already disrupting critical global programs Programs funding HIV treatment, disease monitoring, child vaccinations, refugee support, and malnutrition treatments have been halted due to the freeze. Many in the international aid sector fear that U.S. funding may never fully return. 2?? Philanthropists are clear: Donors can't and won’t replace government funds Philanthropy can’t fill the enormity of the gap created as a result of the U.S. foreign aid freeze, but individual donors are stepping in with bridge funding to help sustain frontline, high-impact programs until we see what comes next from the administration and how ongoing court challenges play out. 3?? Bridge funding provides critical support during uncertainty Several funds have popped up and are deploying funding quickly. The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund, along with initiatives from NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response), Founders Pledge, GlobalGiving, and others, are already making grants to organizations in need. 4?? A bridge to the future of global development The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund isn’t just about filling urgent gaps—it’s about backing organizations that are driving a new model for global development. By prioritizing impact, sustainability, and deep connections to the communities they serve, these groups are showing what a stronger, more effective global development system can look like. Want to help? Learn more about our Foreign Aid Bridge Fund: https://lnkd.in/gPCbrYTC #UnlockAid #ForeignAidBridgeFund https://lnkd.in/eRteVbi6

?? The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund was featured today in Devex’s roundup of rapid response funds stepping up amid the U.S. foreign aid freeze. The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund was launched to support front-line organizations that: ? Were impacted by the U.S. foreign aid freeze stop work orders. ? Have sustainable models and a track record of delivering results. ? Need urgent funding to keep operations going and continue serving communities. ? Deliver extraordinary impact and work directly with the communities they serve. See more information about the fund here: https://lnkd.in/gtECD3Ff In addition to the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund, we were thrilled to see other funds rising to the occasion, including: ?? NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response) Bridge Fund – Supporting local and national humanitarian and development actors. ?? GlobalGiving Community Aid Fund – Providing unrestricted grants to organizations affected by the aid freeze. ?? Founders Pledge Fund – Mobilizing philanthropic capital to support impactful organizations affected by the aid freeze. ?? Keep the Lights On Fund by the Stop TB Partnership – Sustaining the work of tuberculosis survivor networks and local community organizations combating TB that have been impacted. These efforts prove that, in challenging moments, the wisdom of the late Mr. Rogers rings true: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”?Let's keep the momentum going. ?? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gfqJYS68 #ForeignAid #Innovation #AidFreeze #GlobalDevelopment

"This bridge fund is a lifeline in a time when foreign aid is under scrutiny." – Ineza Mutimura, Foreign Aid Bridge Fund Investment Committee and Co-Founder and CEO of Funders of African Decent The U.S. foreign aid funding freeze has caused significant harm, forcing countless organizations that provide life-saving services to cut back or shut down. The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund was launched to provide immediate relief, ensuring high-impact organizations can survive. But it’s more than a stopgap—it’s a proof of concept for what smarter, more sustainable aid can and should look like. In just one week, the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund: ?? Took in requests for assistance from more than 200 organizations affected by the U.S. foreign aid freeze ?? Enlisted more than 100 donors to step and provide assistance through contributions big and small ? Made its first round of funding decisions, providing early assistance to highly-impactful and sustainable nonprofit organizations What if philanthropy didn’t just react to emergencies—but helped build new models of foreign assistance? If you're a philanthropist or impact investor, now is the time to step forward— to help in a crisis, and redefine the future of aid. #ForeignAidBridgeFund #AidWeWant #Philanthropy #Innovation #GlobalDevelopment https://lnkd.in/gZuhQaE8