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CPRK.GROUP
💼 GRANTS
April 1, 2026
· 8 min reading
USAID no longer funding? 8 alternative donors for organizations
The year 2025 has brought major changes to the international funding landscape. But the donor market is much broader than it seems — here are specific alternatives with details.
⚠️ Context
Administrative changes in the US in 2025 led to a review of foreign aid. Some USAID programs have been frozen or transferred to other agencies. For organizations that depended on USAID, this is a signal to diversify sources. Which is a healthy practice even without this crisis.
The good news: the donor market for Ukraine in 2026 is much broader than USAID. Many organizations simply didn’t know about these opportunities because they weren’t looking. Here are 8 concrete alternatives.
8 alternative donors
Alternative 01
Scandinavian countries — NORAD, SIDA, DANIDA
🇳🇴🇸🇪🇩🇰
€30,000 — €500,000
Norway, Sweden and Denmark are increasing their presence in Ukraine. Key advantage: much less bureaucracy than the EU and faster decision-making cycle. Contact the embassies directly.
Gender
Climate
Human rights
✓ Faster cycle
Alternative 02
UK Aid — FCDO
🇬🇧
From £50,000
The UK has dramatically increased its aid to Ukraine. FCDO funds through open tenders. Priorities: reconstruction, rule of law, humanitarian aid.
Restoration
Rule of law
✓ Growing funding
Alternative 03
Canada — Global Affairs Canada
🇨🇦
From CAD$50,000
GAC funds through local embassy and Canadian NGO partners. Priorities: gender equality, human rights, democracy. It is worth finding a Canadian partner.
Gender
Democracy
Human rights
Alternative 04
UN agencies — UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women
🌐
$50,000 — $500,000
UNDP implements large programs and involves local implementers. IDPs - UNHCR, children - UNICEF, women - UN Women. Accreditation as a partner is required.
IDPs
Children
Women
✓ Large network
Alternative 05
Private foundations — Oak, OSF, Mott
🌍
$30,000 — $1 million
Oak Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation — do not depend on US government decisions. Less formalized requirements, more focus on strategic impact.
Independent
Flexible
✓ Independent of the government
Alternative 06
Austria and the Netherlands — ADA, MFA NL
🇨🇦
€30,000 — €300,000
The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Dutch Foreign Ministry are less well-known but active donors. They regularly announce calls for Ukrainian NGOs. Less competition.
Less competition
Active in UA
Alternative 07
Corporate funds — Microsoft, Google, Mastercard
💼
$10,000 — $200,000
Microsoft Philanthropies, Google.org, Mastercard Foundation have programs for Ukraine. Smaller amounts but faster process. Priorities: digital transformation, education, women's entrepreneurship.
Digitalization
Education
✓ Faster process
Alternative 08
Renaissance Foundation and Razom
🇺 🇦
€10,000 — €150,000
IRF and Razom for Ukraine are international funds with a focus on Ukraine. They understand the context better than foreign donors. Less formalized reporting. Regular calls.
Regular calls
Understand the context
✓ Simple reporting
USAID vs alternatives: what is changing
❌ Dependence on one donor
· The entire program depends on the decisions of one government
· Any change in administration is a risk for the organization
· The donor dictates the priorities and format of the work
✓ Diversified portfolio
· 3–4 donors from different countries and sectors
· Resistance to changes in any one source
· Greater freedom in choosing topics and approaches
💡 STRATEGIC ADVICE
Don’t try to apply to all 8 at once. Choose 2–3 donors that best fit your mission and geography and focus on the quality of your applications. Diversification is a yes, spamming applications is a no. Donors see when an organization applies “to everything.”
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