Reducing global poverty will require significant investment in long-term economic growth.

One of the best ways to boost economic growth and expand opportunity around the world is to improve the impact of U.S. foreign assistance. Our aid programs will have greater impact if we apply fundamental business principles, and successful reform will in turn give immense value back to business.

Key elements of a business plan for foreign aid

• Start with a clear strategy
• Emphasize results
• Invest for success

Learn more about applying business principles to aid reform >

Background on U.S. foreign aid
The Foreign Assistance Act, which governs U.S. aid programs, has not been comprehensively updated since the end of the Cold War. The underlying assumptions and objectives of our overall aid programs need to be reassessed in light of current needs. In addition, U.S. aid policy lacks coherence, and its administration is highly fragmented.
Learn more about U.S. foreign aid >

Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network
IGD is a member of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN), a reform coalition working to help build a safer, more prosperous world by strengthening the United States’ ability to reduce global poverty, create opportunities for growth and secure human dignity in developing countries.

Millennium Challenge Corporation
IGD has been a strong supporter of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) because of its emphasis on long-term investments that support economic growth and poverty reduction, its recognition that partner governments need to design and implement their own development strategies, and its insistence on evaluating program impact and accountability.