Rockefeller and Packard Foundations Launch Commission to Overhaul U.S. Foreign Aid System
Event summary
- The Rockefeller Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation launched the Commission on the Future of Foreign Assistance, co-chaired by former Gov. David Beasley (R) and former Sen. Ben Cardin (D).
- The bipartisan commission aims to develop a blueprint for a more effective U.S. foreign assistance system, with recommendations expected in 2027.
- A recent poll found that 80% of Americans support reforming and strengthening foreign aid rather than eliminating it.
- Total official development assistance (ODA) fell by 23.1% in 2025, the largest annual contraction ever recorded.
The big picture
The launch of the Commission on the Future of Foreign Assistance comes at a critical juncture, following the shuttering of USAID and unprecedented cuts to global aid. The initiative aims to redefine U.S. foreign assistance as a strategic tool for national security and economic prosperity, aligning with broader trends toward bipartisan cooperation in foreign policy. The commission's work will be closely watched as it seeks to restore public trust and political support for international development efforts.
What we're watching
- Bipartisan Coordination
- Whether the bipartisan commission can sustain momentum and produce actionable reforms amid political divisions.
- Public Support Dynamics
- How the commission's recommendations will be received by the American public and whether they can secure enduring political backing.
- Implementation Challenges
- The pace at which proposed reforms can be implemented, given the significant cuts to foreign aid budgets and the need for structural overhauls.