Foreign Aid Freeze: How Trump’s Decision is Leaving Organisations on the Brink - here is a solution

In a now-viral video, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta made a sobering statement: “Trump doesn’t owe you anything.” This isn’t a shock move by the Trump administration—it’s the continuation of a pattern. During his first term, funding was steadily scaled back. The warning signs were clear, yet many organisations continued to rely heavily on U.S. support. Today, they are facing the consequences.

In my native Uganda, one of the oldest HIV clinics has shut its doors. Thousands of people who depend on antiretrovirals (ARVs) are now stranded, wondering how long they can hold on without the medication that keeps them alive. Across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and even parts of Eastern Europe, organisations are closing programmes that served as lifelines for millions.

The Trump administration has promised exemptions for certain critical areas, but the details remain vague. In the meantime, the damage is already happening. Clinics, schools, and development programmes are being forced to shut down, and many organisations are facing existential questions about their future.

The truth is, this should not come as a surprise. We saw this coming.

What’s next for these organisations? The answer isn’t simple, and there’s no magic bullet. But if this crisis teaches us anything, it’s that diversification of income isn’t just a luxury—it’s a matter of survival.

I know this is overwhelming. Many of the organisations we at New Global Markets (NGM) Consulting support are dealing with urgent questions: How do we keep our doors open? How do weaccess immediate funding while planning for long-term sustainability?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But there’s one clear message: relying on a single source of income is no longer viable. The organisations that will survive this freeze—and the next funding crisis—are the ones that diversify their income streams now.

The good news is that solutions exist. Partnerships with the private sector, regional donors, foundations, and even income-generating activities can offer lifelines.

If your organisation is struggling, you’re not alone. This is a moment of reckoning for all of us in the development and humanitarian sectors. But it’s also a moment to learn, rebuild, and create a more resilient future—one that isn’t at the mercy of political decisions beyond our control.

Let’s start the conversation now, before more programmes are forced to shut down.