"Multiple groups launched fundraisers in February and eventually, these emergency funds mobilized more than $125 million within eight months, a sum that while not nearly enough, was more than the organizers had ever imagined possible. In those early days, even with needs piling up, wealthy donors and private foundations grappled with how to respond. Of the thousands of programs the U.S. funded abroad, which ones could be saved and which would have the biggest impact if they continued?"
"Working outside of business hours or after they'd been fired, members of Gallant's team and employees of USAID's chief economist's office pulled together a list that eventually included 80 programs they recommended to private donors. In September, Project Resource Optimization, as their effort came to be called, announced all of the programs had been funded, with more than $110 million mobilized in charitable grants."
"Those funds are just the most visible that private donors mobilized in response to the unprecedented withdrawal of U.S. foreign aid, which totaled $64 billion in 2023, the last year with comprehensive figures available. It's possible private foundations and individual donors gave much more, but those gifts won't be reported for many months. For the Trump administration, the closure of USAID was a cause for celebration. In July, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agency had little to show for itself since the end of the Cold War."
Multiple groups launched emergency fundraisers that mobilized over $125 million within eight months to support U.S.-funded programs after a significant foreign aid withdrawal. Wealthy donors and private foundations weighed which of thousands of U.S.-funded overseas programs could be preserved for maximum impact. A USAID team led by Sasha Gallant identified cost-effective, impactful programs and compiled a recommended list of 80 projects. Project Resource Optimization announced that those programs had been funded with more than $110 million in charitable grants, while other emergency efforts raised about $15 million. Official U.S. foreign aid totaled $64 billion in 2023, and some gifts remain unreported.
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