A Durham-based global research nonprofit is laying off 36% of its U.S. staff, with more than 200 workers being in North Carolina, according to a press release.

What You Need To Know

  • More than 200 N.C. workers are being furloughed because of the pause of U.S. foreign assistance programs and funding

  • FHI 360 is a Durham-based nonprofit that received 67% of it's revenue from USAID in 2024

  • FHI 360 employs more than 4,000 workers in 60 countries worldwide

  • The Trump Administration has ridiculed USAID and plans to continue funding cuts to the agency

FHI 360, founded at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will begin furloughs Friday, Feb. 7 because of “the pause of U.S. foreign assistance funding and programs,” the company’s release said.

FHI 360 said its mission is to “mobilize research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives.”

FHI 360 employs over 4,000 workers in more than 60 countries worldwide. In its latest annual report, FHI 360 said that 67.04% of its revenue by source comes from USAID. Other U.S. Government agencies account for only 0.93% of FHI 360’s revenue. 

Some of FHI 360’s recent USAID-funded projects include “creating clothes, jobs and community” in Morocco, “Engaging men in family life” in Mozambique, “Detecting multidrug-resistant tuberculosis” in Tajikistan, “Supporting mental health and building resilience” in Ukraine and “Providing education amid conflict” in Nigeria, accoring to the report. 

The USAID was created in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy saw the need for a single agency “responsible for administering aid to foreign countries to promote social and economic development.”

The White House made a statement Monday, saying USAID “has been unaccountable to taxpayers as it funnels massive sums of money to the ridiculous — and, in many cases, malicious — pet projects of entrenched bureaucrats, with next-to-no oversight.”

In light of the backlash, USAID’s website displays a message saying all employees will be placed on administrative leave globally, which the only exception being employees who “mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs.”

“We are going through this process as thoughtfully as possible, with the deepest respect for affected individuals and grateful recognition of their contribution to our organization,” Jennifer Garcia, FHI 360’s media relations manager said.

“We thank all our team members for their continued commitment to the FHI 360 mission. We look forward to getting back to work soon.”

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