Report: International Grantmaking Expected to Increase Despite Economic Woes
by Suraj Sazawal, 4/28/2009
In February 2009, the Foundation Center released an encouraging analysis of international grantmaking for 2009 and beyond. International Grantmaking IV: An Update on U.S. Foundation Trends analyzes current and future trends of foundation giving to NGOs supporting international projects and programs. According to the report, despite the global economic downturn, the "prospects for international giving in the near term are less pessimistic" than many had anticipated. This makes removal of barriers to philanthropy caused by counterterrorism measures more important than ever.
Record contributions from large foundations (e.g. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation) and generous donations in response to worldwide catastrophes (e.g. the Indian Ocean tsunami, earthquake in Pakistan) led to the highest levels of international giving during the last five years. The report also conducted a survey of 78 public and private foundations finding almost half expect to increase their giving and only 7 percent will reduce total giving in 2009.
The entire report is available for purchase on Foundation Center's website.
