The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) partners with private voluntary organizations (PVOs) to achieve better global aid and development outcomes. PVOs are tax-exempt nonprofits that leverage their expertise and private funding to address critical challenges abroad. The PVO registration process enables USAID to identify capable nonprofit partners and ensures that registrants meet the Agency’s basic partnership and funding requirements.
PVOs mobilized an extraordinary amount of private funding and expertise in 2012, raising $22.6 billion in private support and receiving $3.3 billion in USAID support. PVOs implemented or supported international programs in 186 countries and territories, nearly every nation and region in the world. The group of 669 PVOs registered as of FY 2012 enables USAID to respond to vast global needs through longstanding local partnerships.
PVOs have a broad range of expertise, with health being the major focus area in 2012, followed by Humanitarian Assistance and Agriculture. PVOs dedicated a total of $21.7 billion to international programs, with five countries accounting for nearly one-fourth of these outlays. The top five countries were Haiti, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.
PVOs are essential USAID partners that mobilize private funding and expertise toward achieving better aid and development outcomes. They are eligible to compete for grants and other types of funding, and gain greater visibility with USAID staff and Missions. Registered PVOs also receive access to relevant Agency news and information about funding opportunities through Partnerships@AID, a digital newsletter.
The PVO registration process involves evaluating whether an organization meets USAID’s Conditions of Registration for U.S.-based PVOs or International PVOs. Applicants begin the registration process by gathering required documents and obtaining a D-U-N-S number. Once the application is submitted and complete, USAID determines whether the applicant meets the eight registration conditions.
PVOs are making progress happen in various areas, including mobilizing funding, implementing programs, and building partnerships. They have received 24% of grants awarded for the Saving Lives at Birth Grand Challenge, an open competition seeking groundbreaking solutions to prevent maternal and newborn deaths. PVOs are also working with local NGOs in 102 countries, with a total of $21.7 billion dedicated to international programs.
The VolAg Report provides a snapshot of the work of the U.S. and international PVOs that are registered with USAID. The report includes a brief description and a summary of financial activities for the 548 U.S. PVOs, 115 international PVOs, and 6 U.S. Cooperative Development Organizations (CDOs) registered with USAID as of August 1, 2014. The report is the culmination of the annual effort by the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment, Office of Local Sustainability staff to collect, validate, and disseminate a clear, factual report that helps inform the Congress, Agency staff, partner organizations, and the general public about the activities of the PVO community.