Dogecoin’s (DOGE) claim of canceling a $903,811 grant for alpaca farming in Peru conflicts with the Inter-American Foundation’s documentation, which shows a $275,510 grant to one association. Following an executive order by President Trump, DOGE cut the IAF’s staff and funding. The source of the larger figure remains unknown as the grant has not been corroborated in official records.
The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) provided a $275,510 grant to a Peruvian association that supports alpaca farmers in 2023. Following a March 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut the IAF’s workforce to one and canceled various grants. However, records from usaspending.gov indicate that the IAF’s grant was not the $903,811 amount stated by DOGE, raising questions about the source of this figure.
As per the IAF, the single project funded was the collaboration with Artesanos Asociados Sumac Pallay Sibayo (AASUPASI). This association, recognized for its support of smallholder alpaca farmers and artisans, has only received the aforementioned amount, which is set to be disbursed until 2026. Thus far, only $161,165 has been disbursed from this grant. It’s unclear how DOGE derived the $903,811 claim as it does not appear on DOGE’s documented canceled grants.
The project aims to enhance the resilience of alpaca communities in Arequipa. In addition to the IAF grant, there is a noted “counterpart commitment” of $518,405, although the source and specifics of this commitment remain unspecified. This additional funding does not account for the $903,811 amount claimed by DOGE, which has not been substantiated in official records.
The IAF was established in 1969 to foster community-led development in Latin America and has a budget of approximately $60 million for fiscal year 2024. According to its annual report, it supported 426 projects in 2023, emphasizing its role in regional development despite the recent budget cuts by DOGE.
In summary, DOGE’s claim of a nearly $1 million grant for alpaca farming in Peru lacks verification. The IAF’s actual grant to AASUPASI was only $275,510. The discrepancy raises questions about DOGE’s figures, particularly since the origin of the $903,811 figure remains unclear. Furthermore, understanding the additional funding sources is essential for accurately assessing the project’s financial backing. This situation highlights the importance of transparency in government spending claims.
Original Source: www.snopes.com
