Global: Diversifying Resources for Civil Society
Strengthening Civil Society by Building Financial Resilience
Published December 2025
Following this year’s foreign aid cuts, ICNL convened regional consultations to understand how organizations were being affected and what support they needed most. Across Asia, Africa, MENA and Latin America, 92% of the participating organizations reported moderate to severe impacts. Many were forced to halt core programs, lay off staff and suspend essential services that communities rely on.
These challenges exposed the risks of overreliance on limited funding sources and underscored an urgent need for more resilient and diversified funding. Partners emphasized the need for alternative models such as local philanthropy, digital fundraising, memberships, and legal reforms that strengthen sustainability.
ICNL is responding with targeted technical support and partnerships: new research on alternative financing in Africa, pilots on income diversification in Latin America, and digital fundraising in MENA, as well as a new corporate partnership initiative in Jordan.
Discussed in this article:
▷ Latin America’s Response to a Changing Funding Landscape: What We are Learning from the Region
▷ Forging Ahead: Key Outcomes from the Africa Consultation on Development Assistance
▷ Key Takeaways from the Asia Regional Consultation on Development Assistance
▷ ICNL’s Resource Diversification page
Photo: Unsplash/Jon Moore
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