In Response to USAID Cuts, Deploy Women-Led Charitable SWAT Teams

To the Editor:

As director of the Marks Family Foundation, I‘ve seen firsthand the importance of USAID funding on health services, disaster relief, and anti-poverty efforts. That’s why I wholeheartedly agree with Kellea Miller’s op-ed “As USAID Is Gutted, Here’s How Philanthropy Can Stop Panicking and Start Helping” (February 12).

Philanthropy needs to put its dollars to work thoughtfully, efficiently, and collaboratively. As Miller states, private philanthropy can’t permanently replace USAID funding. When the consequences of USAID’s cuts become evident, I’m hopeful that the American people will demand their restoration.

But in the meantime, charitable SWAT teams must deploy around the globe to help affected nonprofits. The American philanthropic community has the means and expertise to make this happen, and I believe that should start with embracing the power of women leaders.

I’ve witnessed the effectiveness of women rebuilding communities during times of crisis — especially when given the resources and agency. When the Taliban took Kabul in 2021, for example, I raised $7 million in 10 days from female philanthropists to charter private planes and evacuate 1,200 women leaders on the Taliban kill list. We have since permanently resettled all but eight. This project later received $13 million from the State Department, proving how quick, risk-tolerant funding can activate larger sums from other sources.

A similar response is needed in the face of USAID funding cuts. Galvanizing women-led organizations around the world is a surefire way to quickly get resources where they’re needed.

As philanthropists, women are also well-positioned to play a leading role. Because of the so-called Great Wealth Transfer, by 2030 American women will likely control most of the $30 trillion in assets held by baby boomers. On top of that, $250 billion is currently sitting untouched in donor-advised funds. This is the perfect time for women philanthropists with family DAFs to start releasing that ready money to fill at least some of the gaps left by USAID’s funding freeze.

In 2025, I’m donating all of the funds from a DAF account I created last year, while also ensuring Marks Family Foundation money supports nonprofits that rely heavily on government aid. I invite other women philanthropic leaders and donors to take similar steps.

Some people I’ve spoken to are sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars in DAF accounts because they’re paralyzed by concerns about getting it right or are waiting for the right moment. But many organizations can help donors determine the most efficient uses of their money.

HalfMyDAF will match $1.5 million in funds for donors who spend half of their DAFs this year. USAID Stop-Work is documenting which organizations have been affected, so donors can ensure funds go where they’re needed most. And the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund is pooling philanthropic dollars to support frontline organizations and fill the immediate funding gap.

I hope you will join me in embracing these efforts — and ensuring organizations across the globe can continue their life-saving work.

Amy Marks Dornbusch
Founder, AtlasDaughters
Director, Marks Family Foundation