Top USAID grant implementers for 2016

The United States Agency for International Development grant spending increased from $10.75 billion in 2015 to $11.08 billion in 2016. This $300 million increase occurred as 2016 USAID contract spending decreased by $200 million. As in previous years, the U.S. aid agency’s grant spending outstripped its contract spending by a significant margin. USAID continues to channel a large share of its grants to multilateral organizations, such as the World Bank and United Nations’ World Food Programme. In 2016, total grant funding for these two organizations reached $3.46 billion, or 31.21 percent of USAID’s entire obligated grant funding for the year. Meanwhile, grants for other U.N.-affiliated agencies combine for an additional $1.41 billion, with UNICEF ($363 million), Gavi Alliance ($235 million), International Organization for Migration ($211 million), World Health Organization ($153 million) and United Nations Development Programme ($136 million) among the organizations which received the most money. The Trump administration has proposed significant budget cuts to development assistance which, if enacted, could affect future grants to many multilateral organizations. Trump has promised specifically to re-evaluate contributions to the U.N. and “rein in costs.” Further, the administration’s expansion of the “global gag rule” means that those health organizations receiving USAID grants will face a difficult choice over delivering family planning services. USAID’s food and disaster assistance units, another prominent source of grants, face a possible merger under Trump. In 2016, cooperative agreements — or grants requiring close collaboration with USAID during implementation — comprised a significant portion of USAID grant giving. Of the top 20 grant recipients, eight were reported to have received 100 percent of their grant funding through cooperative agreements, while another four exceeded 95 percent. In the past five years, cooperative agreements accounted for an average of 47.64 percent of USAID’s obligated grant funding. Based on USAID obligated grant data, here Devex ranks the top 20 USAID grant implementers for 2016. For the purpose of this ranking, multilateral agencies such as the ones mentioned above were excluded from the list. FHI 360 remained the top grant implementer in 2016, receiving almost $360 million in grant funding from USAID, which is comparable to the organization’s 2015 funding. Catholic Relief Services received $335 million in 2016, which is $142 million more than the group was granted in 2015. CRS was awarded a $50 million grant package for humanitarian relief in Gaza, which will be implemented by the organization over a five-year period. Meanwhile, five organizations entered the top 20 list, including World Vision USA, which more than doubled its grant funding from $54 million in 2015 to $118 million in 2016. Other new entrants include Pact ($79 million), Care USA ($78 million), the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation ($74 million) and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities ($68 million). Of those included on this list, eight also won contracts exceeding $1 million from USAID during the same fiscal year. 1. FHI 360 Founded: 1971 Headquarters: Durham, North Carolina, United States CEO: Patrick Fine 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $359,753,346 Share of cooperative agreements: $349,981,909 (97.28 percent) 2015 grant funding: $361,371,597 A global service provider, FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization specializing in technical assistance and capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance, social marketing and communication, and research and data analysis. The organization works across various areas of social development, and has presence in over 60 countries. Apart from garnering the most grant funding from USAID in 2016, FHI 360 also ranked ninth-highest in terms of contract funding in the same year, receiving $100 million in contracts. 2. Catholic Relief Services Founded: 1943 Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland, United States President and CEO: Sean Callahan 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $334,651,958 Share of cooperative agreements: $188,743,060 (56.40 percent) 2015 grant funding: $192,814,944 Catholic Relief Services works in over 100 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East. CRS serves as the official overseas aid and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, with expertise in various fields including emergency response and recovery, agriculture, health, education, microfinance, WASH, peacebuilding and the rule of law, and capacity building. 3. Jhpiego Founded: 1974 Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland, United States President and CEO: Leslie Mancuso 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $291,804,458 Share of cooperative agreements: $287,279,458 (98.45 percent) 2015 grant funding: $282,071,135 Jhpiego is a leading health care provider which specializes in maternal and child health, reproductive health, and the prevention and control of infectious diseases, including malaria. A nonprofit organization, Jhpiego works in 40 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean with a staff of over 4,500 individuals. The organization’s work involves capacity building, strengthening of health care services, developing health systems, and providing innovative solutions to health-related challenges. Jhpiego is an affiliate of the Johns Hopkins University, which ranks 11th on this list. 4. JSI Research and Training Institute Founded: 1978 Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States President: Joel Lamstein 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $181,665,125 Share of cooperative agreements: $ 174,270,396 (95.93 percent) 2015 grant funding: $157,131,098 Primarily a public health management consulting and research organization, JSI Research and Training Institute’s international health practice covers several health areas including health emergency preparedness, environmental factors affecting health, HIV and reproductive health, maternal, newborn and child health, immunization, health care financing, service delivery and supply chain management, infectious and non-communicable diseases, health systems support, nutrition, health care waste management, human resources, health research, monitoring and evaluation, social and behavioral change, and ICT for health. JSI Research and Training Institute is the nonprofit arm of John Snow, Inc., which acquired $76,570,373 in obligated contract funding and is one of USAID’s top contractors for 2016. 5. Save the Children USA Founded: 1932 Headquarters: Fairfield, Connecticut, United States President and CEO: Carolyn Miles 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $144,589,195 Share of cooperative agreements: $103,524,337 (71.60 percent) 2015 grant funding: $157,701,311 Save the Children USA operates under Save the Children International — a global conglomeration of 30 member organizations active in as much as 120 countries. Its youth-centric programs encompass a number of areas including education, global health, emergency response, food security, employment, child protection and child sponsorship. Apart from its grant funding, Save the Children USA also received $1,886,324 worth of contract funding from USAID in the same year. 6. University Research Co. Founded: 1965 Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland, United States President: Jay Wechsler 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $136,348,151 Share of cooperative agreements: $136,348,151 (100 percent) 2015 grant funding: $79,372,556 University Research Co. works to address health-related issues by enhancing health and service delivery systems, employing communication and behavioral change campaigns, developing evidence-based solutions through research and evaluation, and advancing global health security. Its practice areas include education, food and nutrition, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, non-communicable diseases, maternal, newborn and child health, reproductive health and family planning, vulnerable children and families, and water, sanitation and hygiene. URC employs over 1,200 individuals and has offices in more than 45 countries. In 2016, the organization also secured $17,319,569 in USAID contract funding. 7. Abt Associates Founded: 1965 Headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States President and CEO: Kathleen L. Flanagan 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $124,400,373 Share of cooperative agreements: $124,400,373 (100 percent) 2015 grant funding: $112,921,766 Specializing in research and program implementation, Abt Associates works in various sectors including education, environment and natural resources, climate change, agriculture and food security, health, housing and community development, and income security and workforce development. With over 2,500 employees, Abt is currently active in roughly 50 countries, with offices across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, and Australia. The organization also acquired USAID contract funding in 2016 amounting to $154,737,381. 8. World Vision USA Founded: 1950 Headquarters: Federal Way, Washington, United States President: Rich Stearns 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $118,205,400 Share of cooperative agreements: $82,539,415 (69.83 percent) 2015 grant funding: $54,376,450 World Vision USA is part of World Vision’s global network comprising 46,000 individuals working in roughly 100 countries worldwide. The institution’s main goal is to ensure the sustained well being of children, especially those who are most vulnerable. World Vision works in various areas of social development including health, education, economic empowerment, disaster response, food and agriculture, access to clean water, child protection, gender equity and social inclusiveness, including support for persons with disabilities and the displaced. 9. International Rescue Committee Founded: 1933 Headquarters: New York, New York, United States President and CEO: David Miliband 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $113,671,785 Share of cooperative agreements: $72,982,118 (64.20 percent) 2015 grant funding: $119,009,958 The International Rescue Committee works in over 40 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. An international NGO, IRC provides immediate response and assists recovery efforts during emergencies and conflict situations. With a crosscutting focus on women and girls, its areas of expertise include economic empowerment, education, health, human rights, and safety and security. 10. Mercy Corps Founded: 1979 Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, United States CEO: Neal Keny-Guyer 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $90,675,906 Share of cooperative agreements: $52,375,771 (57.76 percent) 2015 grant funding: $110,471,832 Mercy Corps currently works in 40 countries focusing on places of instability. With a global team reaching 4,000 individuals, it aims to promote secure communities, support community and market-driven initiatives, improve governance, spur innovation in poverty reduction and sustainable development, and provide emergency relief as needed. Mercy Corps has a wide array of expertise which includes agriculture and food security, children and youth, conflict management, disaster preparedness and emergency response, economic opportunity, education, environment, health, water, and women and gender. 11. Johns Hopkins University Founded: 1876 Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland, United States President: Ronald Daniels 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $88,319,881 Share of cooperative agreements: $84,103,070 (95.23 percent) 2015 grant funding: $95,197,683 12. PSI Founded: 1970 Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States President and CEO: Karl Hofmann 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $78,935,879 Share of cooperative agreements: $78,935,879 (100 percent) 2015 grant funding: $105,615,849 13. Pact Founded: 1971 Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States President and CEO: Mark Viso 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $78,883,650 Share of cooperative agreements: $78,883,650 (100 percent) 2015 grant funding: $42,299,238 14. Care USA Founded: 1945 Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, United States President and CEO: Michelle Nunn 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $77,828,864 Share of cooperative agreements: $51,398,479 (66.03 percent) 2015 grant funding: $54,706,157 15. Pathfinder International Founded: 1957 Headquarters: Watertown, Massachusetts, United States CEO: Lois Quam 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $75,810,374 Share of cooperative agreements: $75,810,374 (100 percent) 2015 grant funding: $69,916,325 16. KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Founded: 1903 Headquarters: Hague, The Netherlands Executive Director: Kitty van Weezenbeek 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $73,814,448 (previous: $60,017,576) Share of cooperative agreements: $73,814,448 (100 percent) 2015 grant funding: $60,017,576 17. RTI International Founded: 1958 Headquarters: Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States President and CEO: E. Wayne Holden 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $70,344,843 Share of cooperative agreements: $70,344,843 (100 percent) 2015 grant funding: $215,714,626 18. Management Sciences for Health Founded: 1971 Headquarters: Medford, Massachusetts, United States President and CEO: Marian Wentworth 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $69,409,434 Share of cooperative agreements: $69,409,434 (100 percent) 2015 grant funding: $168,045,588 19. Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening Founded: 1995 Headquarters: United States 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $68,951,075 Share of cooperative agreements: $68,951,075(100 percent) 2015 grant funding: $88,400,731 20. Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities Founded: 2007 Headquarters: Carrboro, North Carolina, United States Director: Joseph Piven 2016 obligated USAID grant funding: $68,157,817 Share of cooperative agreements: $68,157,817 (100 percent) 2015 grant funding: $46,113,444 Found this report useful? Check out Devex Survey & Advisory Services for more information on how we can help boost your development business through customized data research.