Survey results: Impact on organizations 3 months later
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    Survey results: Impact on organizations 3 months later

    21 May 2025

    A third of respondents are at imminent risk of closure, with Kenya, Nigeria, and the DRC being the most affected countries.

    It's been three months since Accountability Lab and Humentum began gathering data following the US government's aid freeze. Initially, it was to inform the actions of partners and donors mobilizing resources, information, and tools to try to assist organizations and people in need. These are the results of a relaunched survey between May 1 and 18 to gather comparative understandings of how the situation has evolved and what further steps can be taken to support a fast-shifting development landscape.
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    Respondents have shared that while organizations globally were affected by the cuts, programming is anticipated to be most affected in Kenya, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Ghana. Nine of the top ten most affected are African countries, with El Salvador rounding out the top 10. Others include South Africa, Cameroon, Senegal, and the United States. Responding organizations listed their primary offices as based in the United States, Kenya, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or as Global/Remote Offices.
    A little over 44% of respondents have now received payments for work completed before the cuts came into effect. Related to this, 21% of respondents reported having active USAID programs running. Worryingly, another 21% have only one month of financial resources remaining, while 24% report having a 3-month financial runway. A third of organizations say they are at imminent risk of closure, with almost 55% actively seeking or discussing mergers or restructuring.
    In terms of job losses, almost 55% of respondents reported having furloughed or laid off staff, with a further 14% confirming that layoffs were under consideration.

    "This data is another stark indication of the challenges that the social sector is facing at this moment. These worrying trends were precipitated in many cases by US government aid cuts but are exacerbated by other donor aid cuts and larger critical issues such as closing civic space. It is imperative now that we find ways to collectively support each other and preserve the civic infrastructure we need to support inclusive, fair and open societies."

    Blair Glencorse, Co-CEO: Accountability Lab

    During a period in which organizations have had to make difficult decisions about closing their doors, Accountability Lab has partnered with Development Gateway to develop and launch partnership matching services for organizations, offering a viable path for many organizations to sustain their impact amid unprecedented challenges. 

    "The story we see emerging from the data is that organizations must transform their structural models to build resilience, and collectively amplify those changes into shared, system-wide solutions. That's why at Humentum we're committed to strengthening structural models of social good organizations through training, consulting, and curated peer resources to help organizations sustain their core mission despite funding uncertainties."

    Chris Proulx, Co-CEO: Humentum

    About the data:
    In keeping with our commitment to preserve privacy, minimize potential harms, and follow responsible data principles, responses were de-identified before analysis and publication. Basic data cleaning processes were also applied.

    For further information or more detailed results, please contact Accountability Lab Communications Director Sheena Adams at sheena@accountabilitylab.org
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