The United States Agency for International Development, otherwise known as USAid, has signed an agreement with the Hilton Foundation in a government-foundation partnership. 

Early childhood development, youth empowerment, disaster response and humanitarian assistance, safe water systems, and engagement with faith-based and community organisations will be of focus for the two public and private philanthropic organisations.  

In a signed memorandum of understanding, the Hilton Foundation and USAid said they will prioritise “elevating local leadership of development and humanitarian assistance”.  

The Hilton Foundation brought together 15 foundations to endorse a donor statement on ‘Supporting Locally-Led Development’ on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2023. 

Known for its $2.5 million humanitarian prize, the Hilton Foundation announced in January that it would extend its nomination process from one month to a full year.  

At $2.5 million, the Hilton Humanitarian Prize is the world’s largest annual humanitarian award presented to a nonprofit organisation judged to have made extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering. 

Shafi Musaddique is the news editor at Alliance magazine.