The recent unrest in Ladakh has brought national attention to the region, not for its landscapes or strategic value, but for the growing tensions surrounding foreign-funded non-governmental organizations (NGOs). At the center of the controversy stands Sonam Wangchuk, a once-celebrated engineer and environmentalist whose NGO network, previously admired for its innovation in education and sustainability,… [Read More]
Ford Foundation
Accion Closes $61.6M Fund to Boost Early-Stage Inclusive Fintech Startups
Accion has officially closed its $61.6 million Accion Venture Lab Fund II, LP, now rebranded as Accion Ventures, to invest in early-stage fintech companies addressing the needs of financially underserved populations globally. Managed by Accion Impact Management, the fund will target up to 30 new investments across Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and… [Read More]
Ford Foundation Grants $400K to American Journalism Project for Local News Innovation
The American Journalism Project has announced a $400,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to help expand local news innovation and strengthen the long-term sustainability of independent journalism in the United States. This renewed investment reflects a shared commitment to the critical role local news plays in supporting democracy and strong communities. The funding comes under… [Read More]
Foundations Pledge $36.5M Emergency Funding to Safeguard Public Media in Vulnerable Communities
Six major philanthropic organizations — the Knight Foundation, Pivotal, the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, the Schmidt Family Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — have announced nearly $37 million in emergency relief for public media stations facing closure after the loss of federal funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The federal rescission… [Read More]
Is USAID Shutting Down? What We Know About the Agency’s Future
In a surprising turn of events, USAID’s digital presence has gone dark. The official website is inaccessible, and its social media accounts have been deactivated, fueling speculation and concern within the global development community. Coupled with recent policy shifts under the new Trump Administration, the question on everyone’s mind is: Is USAID shutting down? The… [Read More]
