Taipei: Several Taiwanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have announced plans to withdraw from the U.S.-based fundraising platform GlobalGiving after it informed partners that projects currently listed under "Taiwan" would be redesignated as "Chinese Taipei."
According to Focus Taiwan, the organizations stated that GlobalGiving told them the redesignation was prompted by pressure related to the platform's planned expansion into China. The NGOs perceived this move as a downgrading of Taiwan's status. Among the groups leaving the platform are the Taiwan Good Rice Circle Association, the Taiwan Gender Equity Education Association, the Judicial Reform Foundation, and the Reporter Cultural Foundation, which operates an independent media outlet, The Reporter.
During an April 28 video conference, GlobalGiving informed the Taiwan Good Rice Circle Association that its listed location would be changed from "Taiwan" to "Chinese Taipei," according to a Facebook post by the organization. The association described the change as a unilateral decision with no room for negotiation and subsequently requested the removal of its organizational profile and all fundraising projects from the platform, deciding to end all cooperation with GlobalGiving.
The Taiwan Gender Equity Education Association has also decided to withdraw from GlobalGiving effective June 1. The association initially joined the platform to expand international fundraising opportunities while showcasing Taiwan's civil society and achievements in gender equity education. However, after learning that the redesignation stemmed from pressure from the Chinese government, it chose to terminate its participation. The association mentioned that repeated attempts to seek clarification and negotiate with the platform failed to produce a satisfactory response, and they were concerned that political demands from the Chinese government could lead to further restrictions or exclusion from the platform.
The Judicial Reform Foundation is also ending its cooperation with GlobalGiving and will formally withdraw on June 1. In a statement, the foundation expressed strong protest against the platform's decision, stating that it could not accept Taiwan's downgrading under external political pressure. Although acknowledging that the decision might impact its international fundraising and cross-border cooperation efforts, the foundation emphasized the importance of defending the independence, dignity, and identity of Taiwan's civil society.
The Reporter Cultural Foundation, which has used GlobalGiving since 2025 to provide donors in the United States and Britain with tax-deductible receipts, also announced its discontinuation of the platform. The foundation noted that multiple Taiwanese civil society groups had jointly objected to the name change, but GlobalGiving indicated it would proceed with the policy.
In response to CNA's request for comment, GlobalGiving said in an e-mail that it works with thousands of vetted nonprofit partners across more than 175 countries, including China. "Following local requirements allows us to build trust and connection between donors and trusted and relevant organizations," it said.