Can philanthropy fill the hole left by USAID?

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Feb 27, 2025

Significant cuts to USAID have left a gap in climate funding, prompting a discussion on whether wealthy philanthropists can step in to fill it. The ethical concerns surrounding private funding versus government accountability are explored. Innovative philanthropic initiatives in electric vehicle adoption and clean cooling technologies are highlighted, showcasing their impact in regions facing funding challenges. Amidst the challenges, there’s a surprising wave of optimism as grassroots movements and community efforts rise to tackle climate issues.

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ANECDOTE

Bloomberg's Contribution

Mike Bloomberg paid the US contribution to the UNFCCC after the US withdrew from the Paris Agreement.
This covered about 21% of the secretariat's core budget, approximately $7.5 million annually.

INSIGHT

Aid Budget Concerns

Philanthropic funding may not be enough to replace cuts to government aid budgets.
The US aid budget cuts will severely impact vulnerable populations worldwide.

INSIGHT

Conflicting Priorities

Organizations funded by philanthropists can face conflicting priorities from both governments and funders.
This can create challenges in budget allocation and strategic direction.

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Development programmes across the world are still reeling from the swingeing cuts to USAID, whilst other western nations such as the UK and Germany have announced plans to scale back their own aid commitments.

With Mike Bloomberg agreeing to fill the gap in climate funding left by the US's withdrawal from Paris, is it up to wealthy philanthropists to fill the hole of state funding? Is it realistic or appropriate for them to do so? And do competing interests from funders compromise work on the ground?

Tom Rivett-Carnac, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson examine the potential for a slippery slope in which governments increasingly abdicate their responsibilities for minimising problems for people and the planet.

To delve into the topic more broadly, Christiana speaks to Helen Mountford, president and CEO of ClimateWorks Foundation, a global platform of researchers, strategists and grantmakers aiming to end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy.

Since 2008, ClimateWorks has granted over $2 billion to more than 850 grantees in over 50 countries. Whether electric vehicles or clean cooling for air conditioning units, Helen cites examples of philanthropic programmes that not only tackle climate destruction but also improve standard of living for people. And after expressing some much justified outrage, Christiana and Helen agree on a moment of optimism for bottom-up community coordination.

Learn more:

📖 Read up on the ClimateWorks Clean Cooling programme.

🧑‍🎓Learn more about wider trends of slashing global aid

💬 Let us know whether you think philanthropy can or should fill the gap left by governments by sending us a voice note!

🎟️Be a part of it: We’re very excited to announce we are hosting an event at The Conduit Club in London on the 22nd March and we’d like to invite you, our wonderful listeners, to join us. We’ll have just been to see the West End play Kyoto, an incredible dramatisation of the 1997 Climate Summit and will be hosting an evening of thought-provoking conversations with key insiders who were in the room at this negotiation, plus activists and thought leaders who can help us think about how we shape the next chapter of climate action. Click here to find out how to get your tickets.

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Producer: Jarek Zaba

Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan

Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford

Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas

This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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