Support still strong for US development aid, Rockefeller Foundation survey finds
Americans of all ages, education levels, and political and religious affiliations support a broad range of global development programs and believe these programs are in the best interest of the United States, according to an opinion survey conducted by Echelon Insights for the Rockefeller Foundation.
The survey of 2,000 respondents, published to coincide with the first anniversary of the abolition of USAID, found that a majority of Americans (54%) have a favourable view of US foreign aid. While levels of support vary across the political spectrum, overwhelming majorities support targeted foreign aid when described more specifically like humanitarian relief (90%), preventing disease outbreaks (90%), and peacekeeping and conflict resolution (78%). A significant majority of Americans (81%) favour strengthening US foreign aid programs with stricter safeguards rather than eliminating them entirely.
Foreign aid made up roughly 1% of the US federal budget prior to the 2025 cuts. Yet the survey found that a strong majority would fund it well above its historical level. Seven in ten support setting foreign aid at 2% of the annual budget, which would double its pre-2025 level, and that willingness extends across party lines. 31% of Americans correctly guessed foreign aid was under 5% of the budget, while 35% thought it was 20% or more, and 8% believed it exceeded half the federal budget. When respondents were finally shown the real figure, more than three-quarters said it was about right or too low. This was a point of consensus among Republicans, Independents, and Democrats.
The survey comes as arguments have escalated about the human impact of USAID’s closure. A study by the Lancet estimated that 14 million deaths may result by 2030, including 4.5 million children under the age of five. More than 80% of USAID projects were terminated, including in critical areas such as HIV/AIDS, Malaria, reproductive health and malnutrition. Road traffic safety was barely funded by USAID, so there was virtually nothing to cut, but the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which invests in public infrastructure, eventually survived the attentions of DOGE with significant staff and programme cuts.
Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, said: “Despite recent decisions by leaders around the world, Americans of all political persuasions have remained consistent in supporting effective, results-driven work to prevent diseases, end conflicts, and provide lifesaving food and medicine to the suffering. This data should encourage all of us to commit to a modern, accountable approach to foreign aid that can deliver real results for the world’s vulnerable in the face of 21st century challenges.”
Read the Rockefeller Foundation report here
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