Grant Awarded but Payment Delayed for a New Media Enterprise by USAID
A brand-new media startup's appetite for a mouthwatering culinary docuseries has hit a roadblock, leaving them hungrier than ever for answers. Originally given a green light by USAID for funding, the show's creators, Anne Marie Hagerty and Rachael Scott, discovered that the much-needed funds never appeared on their table just as the Trump administration was gearing up to dismantle USAID[1].
Styling itself as the culinary offspring of Anthony Bourdain's legacy, "The Envoy Show" is on a mission to dishevel the seven "food wonders" of the world while revealing how these gastronomic marvels are revitalizing local economies during its debut season[1]. This tantalizing sensation are expected to sizzle screens through Amazon's Prime Video in the sweltering summer of 2025[1].
But before even taking that first scrumptious bite, the startup found itself stuck in a fiscal gutter, forced to finance the entire production with no government assistance[1].
In his second term, President Donald Trump served up an executive order, which froze all international development aid for 90 days to assess its necessity[1]. The State Department backed Trump's move with a "stop-work order" on existing foreign aid and any new proposals[1].
Courts have already challenged Trump's attempts to abolish USAID, but the President remains adamant about appealing the verdicts, leaving many agencies in limbo about their future[1].
"What a wild ride," Hagerty lamented to CNN[1]. "Now we're left picking up the tab for people that the government was supposed to pay."
To keep her team well-fed during this fiscal famine, Hagerty took an outsize personal loan[1]. "As the founder, I've yet to draw a dime to prioritize paying my team," Hagerty admitted[1].
USAID's Appetite for Sponsorship
With its debut episode zeroing in on a West African grain called fonio, "The Envoy Show" engaged with USAID as early as June[1][2]. By August 27, the series was given the thumbs-up to discuss sponsorship logistics[1][2].
During the final stretch of the Biden administration, USAID and its associated organization, Prosper Africa, agreed to fund the fonio episode[1][2]. Prosper Africa, USAID, and the Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) Activity—a collaboration between the US and Africa that streamlines commercial interactions—had planned to confirm sponsorship before October so that the funds would be covered under USAID's 2024 budget[1][2].
Months of to-and-fro correspondence finally culminated in a purchase order being sent to Alo Media, the series' parent company, in December[1][2].
Hagerty followed up with ATI in January, expressing concern that the payment hadn't arrived[1][2]. She was informed that ATI was investigating the matter[1][2]. This conversation took place just days after Trump signed the executive order halting all international aid[1].
During a meeting on January 22, a USAID representative apologized for the delay and assured Hagerty and Scott that they would resolve the issue[1][2]. However, this promise was quickly dashed when Marco Rubio, the newly-appointed Secretary of State, announced a "stop work order" less than a week later[1][2]. Simultaneously, reports emerged that roughly 5,800 USAID awards were terminated, followed by the discontinuation of 5,200 out of 6,200 USAID programs[1][2].
An Untimely Bill
An automated email arrived in Hagerty's inbox five days after the news of Rubio's "stop work order" broke[1]. The message advised "The Envoy Show" and other subcontractors, grantees, vendors, and consultants to restrain from incurring new costs as of January 27, 2025[1].
This notice came just two weeks before the team embarked on a journey to Senegal[1].
"By the time we realized the payment wasn't coming, we had already buried ourselves in production," Scott pointed out, emphasizing that they were led to believe that the money was on its way up until January 22[1].
Over several weeks, Hagerty persistently pursued ATI regarding the funds[1]. Finally, on February 21, she received a response[1].
"In light of the attached email and Executive Order and stop work order notification sent to you, we are unable to confirm this sponsorship," an ATI representative stated in an email[1]. "Should the situation change, we will reach out as soon as we receive more guidance."
A representative of the State Department confirmed that "The Envoy Show" is associated with USAID partner DAI and that USAID has not issued payments to the show[1]. They did not elaborate on the whereabouts of the funds or clarify whether USAID would honor its sponsorship[1].
DAI also declined to comment on the situation at the time of publication[1].
Over 50 days after the USAID freeze was announced, Scott and Hagerty remain in the dark about whether they'll ever receive the sponsorship funds[1].
Though the lack of funds won't send the startup packing, Scott underscored that every cent counts for any start-up[1]. Scott and Hagerty declined to discuss the requested funding amount and the overall expenses incurred for the episode[1].
"The Envoy Show" may be distributed by Prime Video, but it remains an independently-owned and -operated entity[1].
In March, the Supreme Court shuttered Trump's campaign to cripple USAID's vast foreign aid budget[1]. On March 19, a federal judge also indefinitely blocked the administration's efforts to dismantle USAID, claiming that these endeavors likely violated the Constitution[1]. Despite Trump's vow to appeal the case, the ruling provided some solace for Hagerty and Scott[1].
On March 19, an ATI representative finally reached out to Hagerty and Scott[1].
"Unfortunately, I cannot provide a specific timeline, but we are doing everything within our power to wrap things up and meet our obligations to partners as soon as possible," the ATI representative said[1].
For now, USAID funding for "The Envoy Show" —along with numerous programs tasked with alleviating suffering across the globe—will lingering in uncertainty.
- Despite the approvals in August, the funding for "The Envoy Show" from USAID's associated organization, Prosper Africa, did not materialize by December, delaying the production.
- In January 2025, Anne Marie Hagerty, the show's founder, was informed that ATI was investigating the delay in payment, but the issue became more complex when the Trump administration announced a "stop work order" on all foreign aid.
- Months after the show's debut episode's intended release date, the funds from USAID STILL have not been received, leaving "The Envoy Show" in a financial predicament, even as the Supreme Court and federal judge ruled against the Trump administration's attempts to dismantle USAID.
