Omidyar Network Fund, Inc.
The Omidyar Network Fund, Inc. is the non-profit arm of Omidyar Network, a global network of innovators, entrepreneurs, technologists, advocates, investors, activists and organisations committed to addressing the most critical economic, technological and societal issues of our time. The Omidyar Network, including the foundation, was established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife, Pam.
The Omidyar Network’s work areas benefiting developing countries mainly include digital identity, education and property rights.
The Omidyar Network Fund, Inc. provided USD 26 million for development in 2021. Compared to 2020, this amount represents a decrease of 16.1% in real terms. Grants represented 98.7% of the Omidyar Network Fund, Inc.’s gross disbursements, while 1.3% was extended in the form of equity investments.
In 2021, the Omidyar Network Fund, Inc. provided USD 3.3 million to the multilateral system, representing 12.9% of its development finance, all of which was earmarked for specific countries, regions, themes or purposes.
The Omidyar Network Fund, Inc. channelled its multilateral aid through the United Nations (UN) system and the World Bank Group.
The UN received USD 1.8 million from the Omidyar Network Fund, Inc. in 2021, notably UNECA (USD 1.3 million) and UNCDF (USD 0.5 million).
See the section on geographic and thematic focus for the geographical and thematic breakdown of bilateral allocations earmarked through the multilateral development system.
In 2021, the Omidyar Network Fund, Inc. channelled its contributions mostly through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society (USD 20.2 million), multilateral organisations (USD 3.3 million) and universities, colleges or other teaching institutions, research institutes or think-tanks (USD 1.9 million).
In 2021, the Omidyar Network Fund, Inc.’s development finance was primarily focused on Asia (excluding the Middle East) and Africa. USD 8.6 million was allocated to Asia (excluding the Middle East) and USD 6.1 million to Africa, accounting respectively for 32.9% and 23.3% of gross bilateral development finance. A sum of USD 9 million (34.4%) was unspecified by region in 2021, mainly including multi-regional programmes, core support and research grants.
In 2021, 55.8% of development finance went to the top 10 recipients. The Omidyar Network Fund, Inc.’s most significant recipients included India (USD 8.2 million), Brazil (USD 2.4 million) and South Africa (USD 1.9 million). Moreover, 44.2% of its development finance was not allocated by country.
Least developed countries (LDCs) received USD 0.4 million (1.6%) of Omidyar Network Fund, Inc.’s disbursements in 2021. The Omidyar Network Fund, Inc. allocated the highest share of its development finance (37.5%) to lower middle income countries in 2021, followed by upper middle income countries (16.7%), noting that USD 11.5 million (44.2%) was unallocated by income group.
Sectors
In 2021, more than half of the Omidyar Network Fund, Inc.’s development finance was allocated to social infrastructure and services. Investments in this area accounted for 84% of its development finance (USD 21.9 million), with a strong focus on support to government & civil society (USD 12.3 million) and education (USD 8.5 million).
Sustainable Development Goals
In 2021, the Omidyar Network Fund, Inc. provided the largest shares of its contributions for the goals of peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16), quality education (SDG 4), reduced inequalities (SDG 10) and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
Official website: http://www.omidyar.com/
The methodological notes provide further details on the definitions and statistical methodologies applied, including core and earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations, the Sustainable Development Goal focus of private development finance, channels of delivery, unspecified/unallocated allocations, the gender equality policy marker, and the environment markers.