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We recognize that the Trump administration will impact Alight’s efforts to support refugees and displaced communities, both in the United States and globally. However, we count on individuals like Minnesota lawyer John Schrager, who, inspired by an email from Alight, rallied his community to sponsor and welcome a Ukrainian family—Serhii, Olesia, and their three young children. "You have a family of five that is not just alive and safe, but they're flourishing," Schrager said. "I would say we've gained far more than we’ve given," he added. "There's nothing quite like a personal connection to help people recognize their shared humanity."
Unfortunately, Serhii and Olesia’s family are among the exceptionally lucky few in an alarming global crisis. Displacement has reached staggering proportions in 2024, growing to more than 122 million individuals, a rise of 171% in the last 12 years. Yet philanthropic funding is failing to keep pace. According to data from Candid’s Foundation Directory, grants for refugees and displaced populations increased from $1.92 billion during 2012–2016 to $2.88 billion from 2016 to 2024. This represents a 44.7% shortfall relative to the surge in displacement.
A closer look at Candid’s database reveals that a small group of organizations accounts for a significant portion of this funding. Between 2012 and 2024, The Ford Foundation, the National Postcode Loterij, and Catholic Charities of Ft. Worth collectively contributed $492 million toward immigration and refugee initiatives. While these contributions are substantial, they pale in comparison to the scale of the crisis, leaving a gap that philanthropic institutions must consider how to address.
These challenges are further complicated by the ever-changing policy landscape. In the U.S., the recent passage of H.R. 9495 has alarmed many in the nonprofit sector. The bill grants the Treasury Department authority to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofits accused of supporting terrorism, using language so broad that it could jeopardize aid operations in conflict zones. Established protocols, such as those from the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), currently allow NGOs to provide life-saving aid in places like Sudan and Syria, where displacement figures stand at 11 million and 12 million, respectively. In 2024 alone, the U.S. contributed nearly half of the total funding for Sudan and nearly 30% for Syria. If H.R. 9495 undermines these efforts, millions could be left without essential support.
But the situation is not without hope. Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) highlights several strategies philanthropic organizations can take to make a meaningful impact. First, they advocate for investments that prioritize the safety and well-being of leaders in the immigrant justice movement. Second, they suggest funding initiatives that advance inclusive narratives and practices. Third, they emphasize the importance of building coalitions across movements to amplify influence at local and state levels.
Another opportunity lies in donor-advised funds (DAFs), which currently hold $228.89 billion in charitable assets. Despite this vast reserve, the social justice organization Tides reports that only 22.5% of these funds are distributed annually. Encouraging DAF managers to increase their yearly disbursements could unlock significant resources for addressing the displacement crisis.
And let's not forget the everyday people who support humanitarian causes year after year—like the thousands of donors whose contributions account for 70% of the giving that Alight receives.
The global challenges facing refugees and displaced people demand both immediate action and long-term commitment. With strategic investments and a willingness to confront systemic barriers through co-creation, philanthropy can rise to meet one of the defining crises of our time.
