The Legatum Foundation
The Resilio Fund, which is the fourth collaborative fund launched by Legatum, follows a four-year pilot across seven countries, in which over 1000 micro-grants were distributed to communities by local NGOs, reaching more than 500,000 people.
These grants enabled communities to rapidly restore essential services and build resilience against future shocks.
From mending wells and clearing roads to distributing seeds and tools, the model has demonstrated speed, cost-efficiency, and, critically, has respected the dignity and agency of those affected.
This announcement marks a significant milestone in the evolution of humanitarian funding models, with Legatum committing $10 million as Founding Donor, and three leading philanthropic institutions confirmed as Anchor Donors: the Vitol Foundation, UBS Optimus Foundation, and the Irene M Staehelin Foundation, with more to be announced shortly.
Guy Cave, President of the Legatum Foundation, said, “After years of discussion in the sector about shifting power to communities, we believe it’s past time to act. The Resilio Fund embodies our conviction that those closest to crises are best placed to lead the response. We are proud to stand with a coalition of visionary donors who are backing this transformative approach.”
The Fund’s innovative model is based on the principle of survivor-and community-led crisis response. Grants are channelled to local NGOs, which in turn issue trust-based micro-grants to grassroots community groups.
These groups, already taking action to help their community, use the funds flexibly to meet urgent needs, from purchasing emergency food and water to repairing vital infrastructure and securing livelihoods through agriculture and trade.
Unlike much international, top-down humanitarian funding, which can be hampered by bureaucracy and external control, Resilio’s approach champions trust, flexibility, and proximity.
It acknowledges the capacity and courage of communities to respond to their own needs and supports them with the resources to do so effectively.
“We are proud to be an anchor partner in the Resilio Fund, deepening our collaboration with Legatum. This partnership reinforces our commitment to community resilience by empowering local organisations and the communities they support to lead crisis response and recovery – a strategy that has proven effective through our emergency response portfolio.”Tom Hall, Global Head of Social Impact and Philanthropy and CEO, UBS Optimus Foundation Network.
Resilio Fund builds on successful local response efforts in countries like Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and the Philippines, demonstrating the power of localised, community-led response.
Resilio Fund aims to demonstrate (and further develop) ways of supporting community-led disaster response at a scale that will influence mainstream humanitarian practice.
“The Resilio Fund is setting a new benchmark for humanitarian response by putting local communities at the heart of crisis relief. By empowering hyper-local groups – those who are first to respond and best understand their own needs – Resilio will ensure aid is fast, effective, and rooted in dignity and agency, “Federico Motka, Head of Emergencies and Humanitarian Portfolio, Vitol Foundation.
Legatum confirmed that the inaugural CEO of the Resilio Fund will be announced in the coming days, signalling the next phase of development for the initiative.
Discussions are also underway with additional prospective donors, with further announcements expected later this year.
“This approach not only delivers immediate support where it’s needed most but also strengthens the long-term resilience of communities, transforming the way the world responds to crises. At this critical time of the humanitarian reset, the Resilio Fund shows us the way forward, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most, when they need it most,” added Motka.
About Legatum Foundation
The Legatum Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Legatum Group, a private investment firm based in Dubai.
The Legatum Foundation is theIt focuses on funding initiatives that promote prosperity through social investment, with work spanning health, education, and economic opportunity.
Its key programs, such as the END Fund, Luminos Fund, and Freedom Fund, target long-standing challenges in neglected tropical diseases, children’s education, and modern slavery, respectively.
In health, the foundation has backed major global campaigns such as efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases and to expand childhood immunisation in low-income countries.
It often works through strategic partnerships with governments, NGOs, and multilateral agencies, favouring scalable, sustainable projects over short-term aid.
