NEW: Resources related to US funding suspension
GFMD has gathered a list of relevant online resources related to the recent stop order on foreign aid.
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GFMD has gathered a list of relevant online resources related to the recent stop order on foreign aid.
Last updated
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Attention: Please keep in mind that the situation is evolving as we speak and may render some information outdated or obsolete. We will strive to keep abreast of changes as they happen.
We recognise that navigating the stop work order and the suspension of funding may present challenges for many organisations. This document is based on information we gathered through different channels, and in no circumstances does this document constitute any form of legal or definitive advice: every organisation’s situation, contract, and legal context is unique and subject to potential changes.
The details of your contract, grant, or cooperative agreement—and any instructions from your Contracting/Agreement Officer—take precedence over the information contained here.
Always consult your Contracting Officer, Agreement Officer, or qualified legal counsel for advice tailored to your specific circumstances.
On January 20, 2025, the White House released a Presidential Executive Order titled “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid,” which implements a
90-day pause in United States foreign development assistance for assessment of programmatic efficiencies and consistency with United States foreign policy.” During this time, “foreign development assistance programs shall immediately pause new obligations and disbursements of development assistance funds to foreign countries and implementing non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and contractors pending reviews of such programs for programmatic efficiency and consistency with United States foreign policy, to be conducted within 90 days of this order.
This suspension affects several foreign aid programs, including those under USAID and DRL. The full scope and duration of the suspension remain uncertain, with an initial 90-day review period in place. It is not yet clear if this will be extended or if some grants may be terminated or amended. During this period, many NGOs are experiencing disruption, particularly with regards to ongoing programs, funding disbursements, and staff-related issues. NGOs receiving US funds should prepare for the possibility that the suspension could last longer than anticipated.
Reuters: Judge orders US to restore funds for foreign aid programs. A federal judge ordered the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to restore funding for hundreds of foreign aid contractors who argued that they were negatively impacted by a 90-day blanket freeze, a court filing showed late on Thursday.
See also Robert Nichols', of government contracts law firm Nichols Liu, LinkedIn post on the restraining order.
See the Temporary Restraining Order here.
Robert Nichols, a partner at Nichols Liu law firm in Washington, D.C., is leading a lawsuit against the Trump administration to challenge the foreign aid freeze and stop-work order. The suit seeks a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction to unfreeze funding, resume payments, and clarify cost reimbursements, including idle labour time. Filed under the Administrative Procedures Act, it argues that the freeze is arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful. Due to difficulty finding plaintiffs, a 501(c)(3) organisation representing affected members will lead the case, with Nichols seeking additional plaintiffs. He emphasises that the lawsuit aims to change the funding status quo through legal arguments rather than political confrontation.
The American Federation of Government Employees and the American Foreign Service Association have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The lawsuit challenges the halting of foreign aid, project shutdowns, and mass layoffs, arguing that these actions are unconstitutional and have caused a global humanitarian crisis by disrupting efforts to combat disease and hunger. It seeks a court order to restore USAID’s funding, reopen its offices, and prevent further steps towards its dissolution, asserting that only Congress has the authority to dismantle the agency.
For a broader overview of other recent legal challenges, please refer to the Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions from Just Security, an online forum for the rigorous analysis of security, democracy, foreign policy, and rights.
The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund is an emergency initiative established by Unlock Aid in collaboration with various partners to support frontline organisations affected by the recent U.S. foreign aid freeze. This fund aims to prevent disruptions in critical services provided by high-impact organisations worldwide.
Priorities for Media and Media Support: The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund primarily focuses on sectors such as health, agriculture, sanitation, climate adaptation, livelihoods, education, and humanitarian response. It does not explicitly prioritise media or media support. However, organisations operating within these fields that have a significant media or communication component may be considered for funding, especially if their media activities are integral to delivering essential services and information to communities.
Geographical Priorities: Global. The fund addresses urgent needs across various regions impacted by the U.S. foreign aid freeze.
Type of Funding Available: The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund offers critical, short-term grant-based financing designed to ensure immediate impact and program continuity. This rapid-response mechanism provides flexible funding to high-impact organisations with sustainable business models, enabling them to maintain or resume essential operations disrupted by the aid freeze.
For eligibility criteria, please see their FAQs. For more information or to apply for funding, visit Foreign Aid Bridge Fund.
The Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR) is a coalition of local and national civil society organisations from the Global South, dedicated to transforming the humanitarian and development aid system into one that is locally driven and owned. NEAR emphasizes genuine local participation at all levels of development and disaster management to ensure effective aid delivery to those in need.
Priorities for Media and Media Support: While NEAR's primary focus is on promoting equitable and dignified partnerships within the aid system, it does not explicitly prioritise media or media support. However, media organisations that function as local or national CSOs and align with NEAR's mission and values may be eligible for membership and support. NEAR's emphasis on local participation and capacity building can indirectly benefit media entities committed to community engagement and development.
Geographical Priorities: NEAR operates globally, with a significant presence in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The network comprises nearly 300 local organisations deeply rooted in their communities, enabling them to respond swiftly and effectively to crises.
Funding: NEAR manages the Change Fund, a locally led and governed pooled fund designed to provide financial resources directly to local organizations. Since its inception, the Change Fund has managed over $5 million in grants focused on emergency response and displacement-related initiatives. The fund offers flexible, trust-based grants to support high-impact programs led by local CSOs.
In response to specific challenges, such as the recent U.S. Government foreign aid suspension, NEAR has launched the Bridge Funding Window. This initiative aims to provide immediate financial support to member organisations significantly impacted by the sudden funding disruption, ensuring the continuity of essential services.
Please visit the Fundraising Guide's Crisis and Emergency section for more grants.
Global non-profit Humentum has published a guidance document to help NGOs navigate the recent US funding freeze on foreign aid.
Webinar: Organizing Suspension and Termination Costs under USAID/DOS grants and cooperative agreements Where are we now and what happens next? Key strategies to manage these costs effectively and stay compliant.
LinkedIn post from Consultant and former USAID advisor Olga Wall with templates for handling Suspension of Work (SWO) scenarios effectively
Government contracts law firm Nichols Liu's Robert Nichols and his team of legal experts have put together a series of webinars that include guiding principles, a legal analysis of the relevant stop work and suspension language, immediate cost considerations, and potential advocacy and litigation actions:
On January 25, government contracts law firm Nichols Liu hosted their third Teams meeting, What to Do Next in Response to the Foreign Aid Freeze, to provide key considerations and general guidance on managing stop work and suspension orders under the foreign assistance freeze.
You can view the webinar here.
Webinar 4: Foreign Assistance – Moving from Outrage to Action
On January 29, Nichols Liu hosted its fourth webinar, Foreign Assistance – Moving from Outrage to Action, on President Trump’s executive order freezing foreign assistance. Nichols Liu partner Robert Nichols discussed actions that foreign assistance implementors can take in response to the order, including optimizing chances for getting paid, obtaining waivers, and filing litigation to ensure rights.
You can find the slides from the webinar below.
The Global Investigative Journalism Network has published a story about the effects of the funding freeze entitled The USAID Crisis and Funding the Future of Independent Media.
Independent nonprofit media around the globe suddenly find themselves at the center of a perfect storm of at least four new existential threats.
Columbia Journalism Review offers a comprehensive overview of the effects of the aid funding freeze in this article entitled USAID and the Media in a ‘Time of Monsters’ - What the aid funding freeze means for independent journalism around the world.
According to this article by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the aid freeze appears to have put a hold on $268 million that was earmarked to fund “independent media and the free flow of information” this year. In the recent past, USAID was supporting more than six thousand journalists, around seven hundred independent newsrooms, and nearly three hundred media-focused civil society groups in thirty or so countries—and yet, RSF notes, the full impact of the freeze is hard to measure, since many recipients are “hesitant to draw attention for fear of risking long-term funding or coming under political attacks.”
Accountability Lab launched a survey last week to better understand the collective impact of recent Stop Work Orders on civil society organizations working in the development space. The preliminary results can be found on co-CEO Cheri-Leigh Erasmus’ post. See here for rapid analysis.
Humanitarian & Social Protection Consultant and Founder and Director of MarketImpact Thomas Byrnes’ analyses the best available data from the United Nations’ Financial Tracking Service, the most comprehensive source of global humanitarian funding information
In this LinkedIn post, Consultant and former USAID advisor Olga Wall reflects on the recent Stop Work Orders under 2 CFR 200, advising recipients to negotiate compensation or cost recovery before agreeing to pause work.
EFJ calls on all potential European donors to take action to compensate for the US withdrawal, in particular to ensure the survival of Ukrainian media, the network of Belarusian journalists in exile and media programmes in Kosovo.
LinkedIn post by the President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine Sergiy Tomilenko. The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine expresses deep concern regarding the suspension of funding for all USAID projects that have supported hundreds of media initiatives in Ukraine.
2402 Foundation's Katerina Sergatskova’s reflections on what the U.S. aid freeze reveals about fragile systems and the road ahead.
