Overview of the Change Fund’s Bridge Funding Window  

The Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR) is launching the Bridge Funding Window through our Change Fund.  This is a flexible, trust-based grant-making initiative to address the massive impact from the 90-pause in U.S. Government Foreign Aid on our members and the communities they serve.  

While the sector is in flux and the full impact of the U.S. Executive Order will not be known for a while, we know that local organisations on the frontlines of delivering aid to communities have been impacted by these decisions and need our support.  Their realities are drastically changing – yet we can offer solidarity and some funding certainty amidst the chaos.  Bridge funding is essential to keep local organisations afloat and ensure they can continue providing services. 

Known Impacts to NEAR Members 

On 24 January 2025, the United States President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) called “Reevaluating and realigning United States Foreign Aid”.  

This executive order:   

  • Put a 90-day suspension on all foreign aid.  

  • Declared that all foreign assistance will undergo a review to ensure it is aligned with the U.S.A.’s priorities.  

This suspension has already begun to disrupt our members’ critical work: stop work orders have been issued, activities halted, and staff contracts terminated. While we acknowledge the waiver for life-saving humanitarian services, we are concerned about the cessation of all activities focused on health, governance, climate, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Many of our members serve the most vulnerable communities who are also the most affected by inequities, marginalisation and exclusion – highlighting the interconnectedness of these efforts. 

Since 24 January 2025, NEAR has heard from more than 120 of its members, and almost all (83%) are affected by the suspensions.  You can find the most up-to-date news here.  

From them, we have learned that:  

  • Over 13.5 million people have lost access to services;  

  • A further 4 million people will not be reached if programs are not reinstated within the 90-day period. There's widespread confusion about policies and uncertainty of long-term implication. 

  • Most NEAR Members are impacted are not directly connected with USAID because they work through intermediaries) and must rely on second hand communication. 

  • NEAR Members are grappling with informing communities of the break and/or end of services. 

  • We risk a greater loss of trust in stronger and consistent commitments to localisation. 

NEAR’s Unique Positioning 

Through the Change Fund, and in close collaboration with our members and partners, NEAR is well positioned to lead this initiative.  

  • The Change Fund is a locally led and locally governed pooled fund. Since 2022, Change Fund has managed over $5 million in emergency response and displacement-focused grants.  

  • There are nearly 300 local organisations within the NEAR membership who are already vetted with full due diligence. 

  • NEAR has experience and operational capacity to transfer funds to complex Global South contexts.  

  • And the NEAR team comprises experts with the needed experience to manage unrestricted and flexible grant programs. 

 

Bridge Funding Window Criteria 

Through a locally-led governance structure and process, the NEAR Change Fund, Bridge Funding will award flexible, trust-based grants to vetted NEAR member organisations. The Bridge Funding Window is only open to current NEAR Members significantly impacted by the US government funding freeze. 

The criteria will include: 

  • the organisations size (prioritising smaller organisations with less than $1M USD),  

  • the impact from USG Funding Pause relative to the organization’s overall budget and operations, and  

  • the impact to current humanitarian and lifesaving programs. 

 

NEAR Members: More information will be available soon. If you have a specific question, please reach out to your Regional Representative. 

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