At the Council, we believe that FATF is a global regulatory body that too many foundations do not understand, especially as it relates to their cross-border giving and advocacy for improved enabling environments for grantees around the world. We are, therefore, excited to share a recent webinar from the Global NPO Coalition on FATF which provides a good overview for foundations about what FATF is and what the new standard (Recommendation 8) may mean for nonprofit organizations (including foundations) in the U.S. and around the world.
Global Regulation of Philanthropy
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and globalized, many grantmakers are looking to serve a broader community through their grantmaking and philanthropy. However, there are both current and proposed laws that restrict the flow of important charitable funds across borders. The Council is dedicated to ensuring that barriers to cross-border philanthropy are minimized.
These resources will help U.S. foundations and grantmakers understand the global regulatory space for philanthropy. General resources are found on this page; links to specific subtopics are below.
In-Depth Topics Under Global Regulation of Philanthropy:
Financial Action Task Force & Global Regulatory Bodies
Closing Space for Civil Society & Philanthropy
Country Notes: Summary & Analysis of Foreign Civil Society
Council Public Policy Efforts
In-Depth knowledge on Global Regulation of Philanthropy
Experts discuss both the new domestic charity and foreign NGO laws in China and their likely impacts on US foundations working in China.
The Public Policy and Legal Affairs team at the Council diligently follows and consistently engages on regulatory matters that impact the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. See below for comments and letters the Council has submitted on behalf of our members and the field to strengthen philanthropy.
The Council on Foundations and WINGS discussed the relevance of these reports to grantmakers and the Hudson Institute and CIVICUS shared insight around current trends in the regulation of philanthropy and civil society around the world.
The Council actively asserts its leadership role in the global policy space to ensure a positive regulatory environment for global philanthropy. To do that, the Council develops substantive policy positions on behalf of its members and submits regulatory comments and letters to U.S. policymakers, foreign governments and intergovernmental bodies, and advocates before domestic and international bodies that set policies that impact cross-border philanthropy.
As part of COF’s global philanthropy program, this members-only teleconference provided an overview on policy developments in Mexico that are impacting the flow of U.S. philanthropy into the country. On the call, expert speakers delved into the implications for funders of a new anti-money laundering law, changes to the Mexican tax code, and the consequences of the U.S.-Mexico trade agreement. Foundation leaders also explained how they navigate the changed regulatory environment and highlighted a range of new resources on grantmaking in Mexico.
In anticipation of important upcoming regulatory developments that will impact your global grantmaking, the Council hosted this conversation about cross-border philanthropy with Council members and several non-profit law experts.
Prepared by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, this report provides a summary of the legal constraints in global grantmaking and draws on illustrative examples from the U.S., Europe, and other regions. It also outlines potential options to address these barriers.