Dear Partners of the Americas Member Community,

I wanted to share how the recent changes in U.S. Government funding for foreign aid have created difficult challenges for our staff, partners, members, and the communities we serve. 

The “Stop Work” orders we received means that payments have stopped, and already we have had to lay off approximately 30% of our staff. This has been extremely painful, but we are determined to move forward. 

My team has modeled every scenario to determine Partners’ actions for each potential situation. We are contacting all our stakeholders to identify ways to keep key initiatives alive, even at reduced levels. Our member community and volunteer networks remain active in many communities, and we are working with our remaining staff to pursue alternative funding for our highest-impact programs. 

Where We Stand 

As of now, Partners of the Americas has been implementing 14 programs funded by the U.S. Government through various agencies, totaling around $30 million. However, two USAID projects have been terminated, and programs under other agencies are under review. This situation reflects the ongoing challenges we are facing due to the impact on foreign aid.

Despite these challenges, our mission to connect people and organizations to improve lives continues. 

How You Can Take Action

Your voice matters. Here’s how you can help:

Reach Out to Your Representatives

Share how these funding cuts impact you and your community. Your stories help decision-makers understand the real-world impacts of these changes. You can find templates and examples here:

Tell Us Your Story

We want to hear from you! Submit a written story or record a short video about how these changes are affecting you and your work.

Support Our Resilience Campaign

Help us sustain our mission through this challenging time. Every contribution strengthens our ability to continue serving communities and our members.

Become a Member and Join Our Community

If you’re not already a member, now is the time to get involved! Your support strengthens our collective voice.

With gratitude and determination, 

John McPhail 
President & CEO
Partners of the Americas

 

March 12, 2025