USAID Division Relaunches as Nonprofit with $48M in Backing

Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) aims to continue international work after Trump-era cuts.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A division of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that was eliminated by the Trump administration last year has been reborn as an independent nonprofit called the DIV Fund, thanks to $48 million in philanthropic backing. The new organization plans to continue supporting affordable and effective international development programs that were previously funded by USAID.

Why it matters

The loss of USAID funding was a major blow to international development efforts, but the creation of the DIV Fund demonstrates how private philanthropy can help preserve critical programs and knowledge in the face of government cutbacks. The new nonprofit aims to work with major donors like the World Bank to scale up promising interventions, filling part of the gap left by reduced U.S. foreign aid.

The details

The DIV Fund was previously a division within USAID called Development Innovation Ventures (DIV). After the Trump administration eliminated DIV last year, the new nonprofit was formed with $48 million in funding from two private donors, including a $45 million grant from Coefficient Giving, a San Francisco-based funder. The DIV Fund plans to grant out $25 million annually, which is a little more than half of DIV's former budget at USAID. The organization will focus on identifying affordable and efficient interventions and supporting their expansion to scale.

  • The DIV division was eliminated by the Trump administration last year.
  • The DIV Fund was relaunched as an independent nonprofit on Thursday, February 6, 2026.

The players

DIV Fund

An independent nonprofit organization that was previously a division within USAID called Development Innovation Ventures (DIV). The DIV Fund aims to continue supporting affordable and effective international development programs.

Michael Kremer

The scientific director of the DIV Fund and a Nobel prize winning economist.

Coefficient Giving

A San Francisco-based funder that provided a $45 million grant to help launch the DIV Fund.

Otis Reid

The executive director of Global Health & Wellbeing at Coefficient Giving.

Kathryn Oliver

A professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who studies how evidence informs policy.

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What they’re saying

“The loss of US government support is a huge blow. It's wonderful that private funders have stepped up to help try to fill part of that gap but it's only filling part of the gap.”

— Michael Kremer, Scientific Director, DIV Fund

“It just matters a ton if that money is going towards things that are highly effective or moderately effective or not effective. And I think DIV can play a really crucial role in moving things from the not effective to very effective part of the spectrum.”

— Otis Reid, Executive Director of Global Health & Wellbeing, Coefficient Giving

“It is the most robust research design for answering questions about the effectiveness of interventions compared to usual treatment, absolutely. But it is not the most robust design for answering any other kind of questions, like whether populations find it acceptable or how it compares to other approaches.”

— Kathryn Oliver, Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

What’s next

The DIV Fund plans to hold an open call for applications this year as it continues to identify and support promising international development programs.

The takeaway

The creation of the DIV Fund demonstrates how private philanthropy can help preserve critical international development work in the face of government cutbacks. While the new nonprofit cannot fully replace the funding and reach of USAID, it aims to continue supporting affordable and effective interventions that can improve lives around the world.