NED · GLOBAL — 54 grants, $44.5M
Key claim: The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is providing $44.5 million across 54 active global grants for democracy, human-rights defender, independent-media, and anti-authoritarian-influence programs.
Abstract
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has 54 active grants in GLOBAL totaling $44.5M (public listing as of 2026-07-15). Grantee names are largely withheld for grantee safety (NED duty of care). Sample projects: The organization will cultivate networks in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa to track regional trends and challenges and Supporting Multiregional Collaboration to Protect Freedom of Association ($440.0K); Protecting Human Rights Defenders ($360.0K); Building Capacity and Collaboration to Combat Foreign Authoritarian Influence ($380.0K); Defending Independent Media and Protecting Journalists at Risk ($200.0K).
Why this matters
The Global program is NED’s largest single portfolio line by dollar value, exceeding any country or regional bucket, and it houses the transnational solidarity, defender-protection, and counter-authoritarian infrastructure that binds the country programs together. Tracking it separately clarifies how much of NED’s onward grantmaking flows through thematic global initiatives rather than country desks — a key structural feature for anyone mapping the democracy-funding ecosystem.