Below you will see many Brazilian organizations funded by USAID and there are Billions of Dollar given away and the people of Brazil don’t know or have no idea where this money was used for. Since 2008, billions were donated to fund the Amazon, but the lack of transparency does not give us the answer to all the questions. My investigation as good as your, our readers. I hope I can shed some light into your questions. Our desires are for transparency and hopes that @ElonMusk DOGE will audit these contributions.
1. Inter-American Foundation (IAF) Grantees
The IAF, a U.S. government agency, has been active in Brazil since 1972, providing $72.4 million through 484 grants to local organizations by March 2025. These funds support community-led initiatives addressing poverty, environmental issues, and social inclusion. One specific example is the *Federação das Organizações Indígenas do Rio Negro (FIRN-FOIRN)*, which received funding to provide small grants to Indigenous organizations and establish community philanthropy systems in the Rio Negro region. How many in Brazilian Government ever asked for an audit? Did Brazilian senators ever raised their voice? It is too easy to just work from social media, but in reality there are Billions without accountability. Democracy dies in Darkness and with corruption
2. BrazilFoundation
This U.S.-based nonprofit mobilizes resources for Brazilian civil society organizations (CSOs). It has facilitated funding for various initiatives, including the *Luz Alliance Fund* (in partnership with Gisele Bündchen), which supported emergency relief and rebuilding efforts in Rio Grande do Sul after the 2024 floods. BrazilFoundation works with a network of local Brazilian organizations, distributing U.S.-sourced donations to promote equity and justice.
3. SOS Amazônia Association
Through the *Amazon Fund*—supported by the U.S., Norway, Germany, and others—SOS Amazônia has received funding to combat deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. The U.S. contributed $50 million in August 2024 and pledged another $50 million in November 2024 to this fund, part of which supports organizations like SOS Amazônia focused on conservation and Indigenous community support.
4. Operation Welcome Partners
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) has funded international organization partners involved in Brazil’s *Operação Acolhida* (Operation Welcome). This humanitarian program aids Venezuelan migrants in Roraima, providing housing, employment, and resources. While specific Brazilian organizations aren’t always named, PRM funding supports local partners and shelters, including those in northern Brazil and São Paulo, aiding thousands of Venezuelans and Afghans.
5.Internews and Media-Related NGOs
Posts on X and some reports suggest that USAID, under the Biden administration, has funded NGOs like Internews, which in turn partnered with Brazilian media organizations to influence public debate and elections. While exact recipients in Brazil are not fully detailed in public data, Internews is known to work with local media outlets and CSOs to promote information access, though these claims remain speculative without comprehensive documentation.
6. Health and Research Institutions
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has supported Brazilian research institutions. As of June 2021, NIH provided $2.23 million to entities like the *Federal University of Bahia* ($542,284), the *Foundation for Research Development* in Belo Horizonte ($291,134), and *Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz)* in Rio de Janeiro ($1.4 million) for health research projects, including those related to COVID-19.
7. Civil Society and Environmental Groups
USAID has supported various Brazilian NGOs focused on environmental protection, particularly in the Amazon. While specific names are not always public, funding has gone to organizations working on sustainable agriculture, Indigenous rights, and biodiversity restoration, often in partnership with U.S.-based diaspora groups or international bodies.
These examples reflect a mix of direct U.S. government funding (via agencies like IAF, USAID, and NIH) and indirect support through international mechanisms like the Amazon Fund. The focus areas include environmental conservation, humanitarian aid, health research, and social development. However, exact recipients can vary year to year, and some funding details (especially from USAID to NGOs) may not be fully transparent or publicly itemized beyond broad categories.
Who created the Amazon Fund?
The Amazon Fund was created by the Brazilian government in 2008 under the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. It was established through Decree No. 6,527, signed on August 1, 2008, with the primary goal of raising funds to combat deforestation and promote sustainable development in the Amazon rainforest. The initiative was spearheaded by Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment, with the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) designated as the fund’s manager, responsible for collecting donations, allocating resources, and overseeing projects.
The idea emerged from Brazil’s commitment to reduce Amazon deforestation, formalized in its National Plan on Climate Change, and was influenced by international discussions on climate finance. Norway played a pivotal role as the fund’s first and largest donor, pledging up to $1 billion by 2015 based on Brazil’s deforestation reduction results—a performance-based model that became a hallmark of the fund. The announcement of Norway’s support came during a 2008 meeting between Brazilian and Norwegian officials, effectively launching the fund into action.
While Brazil created and owns the Amazon Fund, it operates as a collaborative effort, accepting voluntary contributions from international governments, private companies, and organizations. Germany joined as a significant donor in 2009, and over time, other countries like the United States (with contributions starting notably in 2024) and entities like Petrobras and the Inter-American Development Bank have also supported it. The fund’s governance includes input from Brazilian state governments, civil society, and Indigenous groups, though BNDES retains operational control.
In short, the Amazon Fund was a Brazilian initiative, born out of national policy and international cooperation, with Norway’s early backing making it a viable global model for conservation funding.