The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) has stopped funding US projects because it is no longer confident in its understanding of the policy environment.
CIFF was co-founded in 2002 by its current chair Christopher Hohn, who has been named the most generous philanthropist in the country by the Sunday Times, and has funded US-based not-for-profit organisations that support vulnerable children globally.
But in a statement posted on its website this week, CIFF announced that it had decided to stop funding US projects.
“Unfortunately, we are no longer confident in our understanding of the US policy environment for foreign funders of US NGOs, including for international work, which is our focus,” it said.
“CIFF’s board have decided that, as a precautionary measure, and until applicable laws and rules, and the execution of them, are made clearer by relevant authorities, CIFF should redirect its funding to, and restructure its contracts to be with, non-US NGOs.
“In all regions in which we operate, we work to ensure that we are fully compliant with all rules and regulations.
“We remain deeply committed to this mission and to ensuring our efforts continue to drive impact effectively.
“We are as committed as ever to our charitable objectives, and we are continuing to scale our work in the regions where we operate.”
Grants increase in 2024
CIFF recently reported it increased its grant disbursements to $631m (£475m) in 2024, an increase of $53m compared to 2023.
Last year’s grants included $12.7m to the US-based Rockefeller Philanthropy and $7.14m to Advisors Piramal Foundation USA.
It also gave $14.2m to UNICEF, which is headquartered in New York.
Meanwhile, the foundation’s assets increased to $6.01bn by the end of 2024, from $5.72bn a year earlier.
It gave $923m (£695m) in total charitable investments in 2024, it did not provide any of that funding to the US due to the policy change announced this month.
Instead of the US, CIFF’s grant portfolio includes significant funding for regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, East Asia, and Europe.
