Is there research on which INGOs / NGOs / CSOs have refused donor funding, with which donors, and for what reasons? If not collected systematically anywhere, could you share examples you know of?
(note: by this, I do not mean governments disallowing NGOs to accept funds from certain donors or foreign funding, but INGOs / NGOs / CSOs making these choices outside of those political directives).
- Some INGOs have refused funding that militarized aid in Afghanistan: https://www.globalpolicy.org/ngos/48582-usaid-rejects-ngo-concerns-over-aid-militarization.html
- Some INGOs refused to comply with the global gag rule and did not accept the terms of USAID funding: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/jan/25/us-foreign-aid-abortions-affect-ngos
- Palestinian NGOs have refused EU donor conditions: https://www.ngo-monitor.org/reports/palestinian-ngos-reject-eus-anti-terror-funding-requirement/
- Some NGOs refused US funding during the Vietnam war (The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War, p. 1182)
- MSF explicitly restricts government / public money it accepts (not entirely, but at a low level): https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/msf-2018-facts-and-figures
Yes there are lot of NGOs who strict in their principles values and ethics. If a donor is not suitable for the NGOs organisational goal then such NGOs easily deny the fund.
Thanks Saswatik Tripathy Any specific examples you can add, in addition to the ones I listed?
Respected sir, I am a part of NGO. Named DHAN foundation, we refuse 100cr INR of Coca-Cola as their demands and our organisation goals were not matching. When they refused I was not a part, but I have heard about this from another co-worker.
Thanks Saswatik Tripathy refusal of corporate donations is another good example. Here are a few that I know of:
- MSF refused donations from Pfizer: https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2017/09/09/first-do-no-harm-ngos-and-corporate-donations/
- The WHO, and others, refuse funding from the pharmaceutical industry: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2007/feb/16/health.healthandwellbeing1
- Palestinian NGOs advocated for the refusal of Airbnb donations: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190517-palestinians-call-for-ngos-to-reject-donations-from-airbnb/
- NGOs have rejected funding from the tobacco industry: http://www.healthjustice.ph/?p=619
Others you know of?
MSF refused EU funding over the EU - Turkey deal -- google it and you will find info on it. MSF also refused funding from most Western donors on principle -- for disagreements over the perceived politicisation of aid and the securitisation of health programming. MSF does not take funding from USAID or DFID for example (although exceptions can be made in extreme emergencies)
Thanks Andrew Cunningham I have found a number of examples from MSF, in addition to those you listed (re: government funding) it also refused in-kind support from Pfizer (link for that one is in the reply to Saswatik Tripathy above, if interested).
Hello! Another domain to look into would be the conditions tied to counter-terrorism measures, which aid organizations cannot or do not want to accept. See for instance this OCHA/NRC commissioned report: https://www.unocha.org/sites/unocha/files/CounterTerrorism_Study_Full_Report.pdf
A few examples related to Palestintinan NGOs cited there, but not only.
And a specific MSF case was their refusing of EU institutions and members in relation to their handling of the refugee/solidarity crisis. Linked to an advocacy campaign. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/17/refugee-crisis-medecins-sans-frontieres-rejects-eu-funding-protest
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