The hottest NGOs Substack posts right now

There's a big debate about how much money from USAID goes to charities and how much is wasted. Some people think a lot is wasted, while others argue it’s not as bad as it seems.
The overhead costs of big charities like Catholic Relief Services can look high, but they actually spend most of their money on important stuff like food and health services, not just admin costs.
It's important to figure out if local charities are actually better at helping people than American ones. Finding the right balance between efficiency and trust in aid distribution is crucial.

Some human rights NGOs are seen as tools that promote government agendas rather than genuinely protecting civil rights. They can suppress certain voices while promoting others.
These NGOs often have ties to government funding and influence, which makes their claims of being independent questionable. This situation can lead to the misrepresentation of public opinion.
The relationship between government, corporations, and NGOs can complicate the role of civil society. This can limit independent thought and discussion in places like universities.

An investigation uncovered a global effort to counter populism in Brazil.
FBI, George Soros, and the Supreme Court were involved in the censorship conspiracy.
The conspiracy was in violation of Brazil's constitution.

Transparency International defends receiving funding from Western spy agencies but refuses to disclose which agencies.
The organization faces criticism for potential conflicts of interest due to its funding sources, which include spy agencies.
Transparency International's autonomy allows chapters to operate independently, leading to varied responses to controversial issues like protecting whistleblowers.

The majority of USAID funding goes to big American companies and NGOs, raising concerns about lack of direct support to local organizations in developing countries.
USAID aims to allocate at least 25% of funding to local organizations, highlighting the need for capacity building and better collaboration with local partners.
Challenges in USAID's localization initiative include arbitrary overhead limitations, cost expectations, and legal hurdles, emphasizing the importance of listening to feedback from local partners.

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Support initiatives like Documenting Ukraine that empower Ukrainians to document the war themselves.
Consider donating to organizations like the Centre for Civic Engagement that help Ukrainian scholars affected by the war.
Support efforts like the Ukrainian Children's Action Project aimed at helping children affected by war and displacement.

Colin Powell acknowledged that 'human rights' NGOs are seen as aiding US military efforts and are considered part of the 'combat team'
NGOs are viewed as playing a vital role in furthering US imperial interests, rather than just working for general 'human rights'
Powell's statements emphasize the importance of NGOs' supposed independence to the US government, even while acknowledging their value in advancing American military goals

Charities may not always use donations effectively or wisely.
Some charitable actions, like donating clothes or money, can unintentionally harm local economies.
Before donating to charity, research reputable organizations to ensure your contribution makes a positive impact.

The Law Commission is proposing changes to surrogacy laws that shift focus from natural motherhood to legal parenthood.
There is concern that legal changes may prioritize commercial interests over the natural bond between a mother and her newborn baby.
There is a call to re-examine the influence of NGOs and ensure that technological advancements align with human nature and flourishing.