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International giving is entering a new era. We have seen the largest single year decline in global foreign aid on record, driven in large part by a nearly 57% reduction in U.S. assistance, combined with growing geopolitical tensions, new tax rules, expanding restrictions on civil society in many countries, and heightened scrutiny of cross-border philanthropy. This has fundamentally changed the international landscape for donors and grantmakers.
While many hoped philanthropy would fill the gap left by declining government assistance, the evidence tells a more nuanced story. New research shows that private philanthropy has responded unevenly across sectors and has fallen well short of replacing lost public investment, particularly in democracy, human rights, and governance. At the same time, donors face a more complex operating environment, from changing U.S. tax provisions and evolving congressional proposals to new legal and regulatory barriers affecting nonprofit partners overseas.
This is more than a funding story. It marks a fundamental shift in how philanthropists must think about strategy, partnerships, risk, and impact. Yet this is not a story of retreat. Around the world, donors are adapting rather than withdrawing. From intermediary organizations and fiscal sponsorship models to pooled funds, locally led partnerships, and lessons emerging from philanthropy in the Global South, innovative approaches are helping philanthropists navigate complexity while strengthening the effectiveness and resilience of cross-border giving.
Join Sharon Van Pelt (The International Foundation/Kaslemal Advisors) and Samantha Grant (Geneva Global) for a timely, data-driven discussion of the forces reshaping international philanthropy. Sharon will examine the strategic, political, and global trends redefining cross-border giving, while Samantha will translate those trends into practical guidance on grant structures, compliance, and managing risk. Together, they will explore what has changed, what it means for funders and their advisors, and how philanthropists can continue to give across borders with confidence and greater strategic impact in an increasingly complex world.
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