NED · MAINLAND CHINA — 24 grants, $7.3M
Key claim: The National Endowment for Democracy is providing $7.3M across 24 active grants in Mainland China to support civil society leaders, independent media, democratic and legal actors, and civil society resilience in a repressive environment.
Abstract
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has 24 active grants in MAINLAND CHINA totaling $7.3M (public listing as of 2025-07-15). Grantee names are largely withheld for grantee safety (NED duty of care). Sample projects: Supporting the New Generation of Civil Society Leaders ($50.0K); Diversifying Media Narratives and Cultivating Critical Thinking ($60.0K); Enhancing the Resilience of Civil Society in a Repressive Environment ($80.0K); Supporting Key Democratic and Legal Actors ($80.0K).
Why this matters
Mainland China is one of the highest-risk operating environments for NED-funded democracy and civil society work, and a $7.3M portfolio across 24 grants signals sustained U.S. investment in supporting independent voices inside a tightly controlled system. Because grantee identities are withheld under NED duty-of-care policy, the onward subgrant trail typically goes cold at the top-line country total — making the country-level aggregate the primary observable data point.