On this page, you will find information on Grantmaking, the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and the Partner Vetting System.
The rights of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) to free speech, association and assembly often come under pressure or even direct attack as a result of over-reaching laws and regulations. The problem is exacerbated by donors and enforcement agencies that shift risk downstream onto NPOs. For example, counterterrorism clauses or certifications that NPOs must sign as part of the grant agreement and USAID’s problematic Partner Vetting System may be inconsistent with humanitarian principles or privacy standards. In addition, since investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election raised the profile of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), , which requires registration and disclosure by those acting “for or on behalf of” foreign governments and entities, have led to overly broad application of the law to fundamental civil society relationships . Information and analysis in this section calls attention to threats to the rights of nonprofit organizations and efforts to address them.
Featured Resources
C&SN Presents at PeaceCon 2023: U.S. Material Support Prohibition to Terrorist Organizations Undermines Peacebuilding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RrzLtwLaIc On May 5, 2023, the Charity & Security Network (C&SN), in partnership with the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) and the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN), presented at PeaceCon 2023 a session
C&SN Signs Joint Letter to UN on Overly Broad Definition of Antisemitism
The Charity & Security Network endorsed a joint letter, signed by 104 civil society organizations, urging the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Under Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos not to adopt an overly broad definition
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Anti-Terrorism Act Case Against Twitter: Implications for Civil Society Could Be Significant
By Katherine Tomaszewski Background & ATA Overview On Feb. 22, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) heard oral arguments on Twitter v. Taamneh. The case will determine whether Twitter can be held
Human Rights Coalition Deplatformed After Lawfare Attack
The Alliance for Global Justice (AfGJ) - a U.S.-based activist network that provides fiscal sponsorship and fundraising services for a global alliance of peace and justice organizations, including those in Palestine - has been the
C&SN Condemns the Taliban’s Prohibition of Women Employees at NGOs
On Dec. 24, 2022, the Taliban announced a prohibition on women working in international and national nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Afghanistan. Such a broad exclusion effectively curtails these organizations from implementing their life-saving programs, which
C&SN’s Year in Review: 2022
As we come to the end of 2022, at C&SN we want to take this opportunity to share some key accomplishments across our numerous issue areas as we seek to protect and advocate for the