Minderoo Foundation joins Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan

Sudanese-led efforts to provide critical aid and services to more than 20 million people caught in a humanitarian crisis received a much-needed boost from an Australia-based philanthropy. 

Minderoo Foundation recently donated $2 million AUD ($1.3 million USD) to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Fund to support broad efforts that help address the critical needs of vulnerable, marginalized, and at-risk groups and build longer-term solutions that enable communities to recover amid famine and conflict. The foundation also joined the Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan, a group of organizations committed to supporting and strengthening life-saving efforts of frontline humanitarian responders who provide immediate relief, build resilience and pave the way for recovery in their communities. 

I asked John Hartman, CEO of Minderoo Foundation, why they decided to join our efforts, and he said, “Our focus is on enabling the lifesaving work already being led by frontline responders in Sudan. By working with trusted partners like the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, we can direct support where it is most effective and ensure communities have the agency and resources they need during a humanitarian crisis.”

Philanthropy has a critical role to play right now: not only by mobilizing resources urgently, but by funding in ways that honor local expertise, leadership and agency. This latest gift is intended to catalyze additional donations from other funders monitoring the situation in Sudan.  

“This gift strengthens our ability to work alongside those closest to the need and know what their communities need most to recover with hope, dignity and agency,” shared Patricia McIlreavy, CDP’s president and CEO. “In a crisis, donors can choose to stand by or step up. I am grateful to Minderoo Foundation for joining our collective efforts to strengthen long-term, locally led and community-rooted programs that empower communities to rebuild stronger and safer than before the humanitarian crisis.” 

Despite the challenging conditions on the ground, mutual aid groups in Sudan are providing vital food, health, education and other essential services in their communities.  

For example, a representative from Adeela, a Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Fund grantee partner, recently told us: “CDP’s partnership has been instrumental in enabling Adeela to expand its humanitarian interventions and reach communities that would have otherwise remained underserved. This funding has strengthened our team’s ability to respond quickly and deliver more effective services amid the challenging conditions in Sudan. We consider this partnership a key pillar in reinforcing grassroots efforts and building a more resilient, community-led ecosystem.” 

Whether through CDP’s Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Fund or other mechanisms, we invite donors to join Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan to learn together and coordinate on providing flexible funding to vetted, locally led groups that provide life-saving assistance. These groups are also helping international funding reach communities quickly and responsibly.  

Since its inception in September 2024, Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan has disbursed millions of dollars, working towards the group’s $16 million goal, supporting initiatives such as establishing community kitchens and food distribution, rehabilitating schools, setting up solar energy systems, and operating water wells to ensure sustainable water access, among other efforts. 

Thank you to Minderoo Foundation for this generous gift and participation in the coalition.