I’m sure you’ve read about the Trump Administration essentially defunding USAID, the United States Agency for International Development (https://www.usaid.gov/). Without getting into the politics of that decision, if you are someone who is concerned about these cutbacks and think there are worthwhile projects that should have been continued, an alternative has emerged.

In February of this year, USAID veterans established Project Resource Optimization (PRO) “to respond to sudden disruptions in U.S. foreign assistance by helping donors identify and support the most high-impact, cost-effective programs at risk.” Their website claims they have helped raise more than $110 million to sustain aid projects for an estimated 41 million people in over 30 countries. The list includes projects in Haiti, Sudan, Mali, Madagascar, and Ethiopia.

Their website (https://proimpact.tools/) shows two ways anyone can help. By supporting PRO directly (I’m assuming through large donations) or by contacted a project directly. The Donate tab in the home-page heading leads to a list of these urgent and vetted projects. There are needs literally all over the world, accompanied by a project name and implementing partner. The website also gives details about the vetting process.

So as we continue into this holiday season, here is another philanthropic opportunity worth considering. And by the way, December 2nd is Giving Tuesday.