Sir Chris Hohn’s Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) — one of the world’s largest charitable foundations linked to hedge fund wealth — has halted all grants to US-based non-governmental organisations, according to a report by the Financial Times.
The London-based foundation, which manages $6.1bn in assets derived from Hohn’s hedge fund The Children’s Investment Fund (TCI), cited uncertainty over the “US policy environment” in its decision to pause US giving until authorities clarify “the applicable laws and rules” governing overseas funding of American NGOs. CIFF said it will redirect its donations to non-US organisations in the meantime.
The move highlights rising geopolitical and regulatory risks shaping philanthropic capital flows from hedge fund-linked foundations. It comes amid a broader clampdown on non-profits under the Trump administration, which has targeted left-leaning and climate-focused NGOs through executive orders, tax reviews, and funding cuts to USAID.
CIFF, historically focused on child development, climate action, and reproductive health, has become one of the world’s most influential private climate funders. Last year, it committed $260m — over 40% of total disbursements — to climate-related initiatives, an 83% increase since 2020.
The foundation’s withdrawal from the US follows accusations from conservative group Americans for Public Trust that it channelled more than $500m into “activist” organisations advancing climate and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. CIFF dismissed the claims, saying its funding was directed toward global initiatives, not domestic US advocacy.
