Global Development
Most Recent
Philanthropy Must Be at the Table to Imagine a Resilient, Inclusive Economy in the Age of AI
As AI technology takes off, guest authors Caroline Suozzi and Henrietta Bankole-Olusina of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors make the case for why grantmakers need to help shepherd its use throughout the world economy.
How Kellogg and Partner Philanthropies Are Funding in Haiti, a Country Beset by Crisis
Through the three-year, $90 million Pockets of Hope campaign, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and several other funders want to change the narrative that backing systemic change in the island nation is a lost cause.
How the Segal Family Foundation Funds Globally, Acts Locally
Most U.S. foundations fund close to home, and when they do support global causes, tend to fund large Western NGOs. But for years now, the Segal Family Foundation has been backing locally driven work in Africa.
After More Than $1 Billion in Funding, MacArthur’s Big Bets Are Winding Down. What Happens Now?
Over the next few years, the MacArthur Foundation is bringing to a close four “Big Bets” on issues ranging from criminal justice to climate change. What impact did these programs have? And how will the shift affect grantees?
Where is MacKenzie Scott’s Global Giving Headed? Here’s What the Latest Data Tells Us
While the U.S. remains the primary focus, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving has been moving huge sums toward global philanthropy, including hundreds of millions last year. Here are the top issues and geographies.
From Anti-Apartheid to Land Back, Deborah Santana Reflects on Years of Social Justice Giving
Deborah Santana is a lifelong activist and donor, including work at the Milagro Foundation with former husband Carlos Santana, and her own charitable fund Do A Little. Santana talks with IP about her past work and future plans.
“Central to a Just Economy.” How a Collaborative Fund is Supporting Labor Rights in Brazil
Backed by the Ford Foundation, Laudes Foundation and Open Society Foundations, the Labora Fund is working to advance workers’ rights in Brazil, where nearly half of the labor force is made up of informal workers.
How Philanthropic Funds Helped Mobilize Over $1 Billion in Investments for Sustainable Development
There are enormous shortfalls in funding to advance the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. As part of its commitment to impact investing, MacArthur Foundation seeded a $1.1 billion fund for the cause.
With Housing a Growing Global Concern, Habitat for Humanity Targets Informal Settlements
Housing has become a huge philanthropic priority, globally and domestically, and one of the largest charities in the space is Habitat for Humanity. We take a look at its latest global program targeting slums, barrios and favelas.
Eyes on the Prize: A Two-Time Winner’s Insights on Navigating Prize Philanthropy
High-dollar philanthropic prizes are increasingly popular, but just how hard is it to land one? And how does winning impact recipients? Repeat winner Kaushik Kappagantulu recounts his experience.
This Year at the UNGA, Philanthropies Unite Behind Democracy and Locally Led Development
Reflecting sector-wide trends, philanthropies threw their weight behind two collaborative global development efforts, seeking to bolster citizen engagement and shift power to those close to the ground.
This Bespoke Funding Intermediary Focuses Donors on a Dozen Highly Vetted Global Grantees
Founded by a private equity veteran, Focusing Philanthropy brings a venture-capital-informed approach to the role of philanthropic go-between, routing donor dollars to a carefully curated set of nonprofits.
How the India Philanthropy Alliance Engages a Growing Donor Base
As the number of Indian Americans soars — along with their philanthropic potential — this network has been ramping up its efforts to mobilize support for poverty reduction and development back in the mother country.
Beyond Borders: A Regional Look at MacKenzie Scott’s Global Giving
Though most of Scott’s giving so far has taken place in the U.S., her global philanthropy is also expansive. Three regions in particular have received lots of attention: Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and South Asia.
Research Is Critical for Effective Aid. So Why Aren’t Researchers from the Global South Getting Funded?
Despite their insight into affected populations, humanitarian researchers from the Global South remain vastly under-resourced next to their Global North peers. Guest author Isabella Cordua outlines what funders can do to fix that.
Why Philanthropists Should Shoot for the Moon
Opinions on the “big bets” school of philanthropy vary, but guest contributor James Chen is all in. In this piece, he argues that wealthy donors should go big on high-risk, early-stage ideas.
With Big Backing From MacKenzie Scott and More, Co-Impact Targets Global Gender Inequality
Co-Impact seeks to improve health, education and economic outcomes for women across the Global South by tackling underlying forces at play. Here’s why the philanthropic collaborative has been a big draw for funders.
A Matter of Trust: With a Big Boost from MacKenzie Scott, GiveDirectly is on the Rise
GiveDirectly, a leader in the push to give unconditional cash donations to those in need, has grown significantly since the pandemic hit. Part of that growth is a result of some huge gifts from MacKenzie Scott.
MacKenzie Scott Is Funding to Empower People Globally. Here’s What We Know About Her Priorities
At the end of the year, we gained a lot of new data about what MacKenzie Scott is funding, including a growing international portfolio. Here’s what we’re learning based on the latest donations and a new database.
MacKenzie Scott’s Far-Reaching Giving Continues to Grow. What Impact Is She Having?
Another update from America’s most exciting mega-donor shows an ever-evolving set of focus areas, which now include charter schools and lots of global giving. One question we still have: How does it all fit together?
Global Gender Equity Requires Access to the Online Economy. Who’s Backing Digital Financial Inclusion?
Entrepreneurship among women is on the rise globally, but lack of digital financial tools is holding many of them back. Some heavy hitters are rallying around an effort to bring about greater digital financial equity.
Philanthropy Made a Flurry of Commitments During the UN Meeting. Here’s Where the Money is Headed
Philanthropy was more active than usual in last week’s United Nations General Assembly, as the secretary general called for a “rescue mission” to get Sustainable Development Goals on track. Here’s a rundown of the big pledges.
Does Global Philanthropy Have a Colonialism Problem?
Efforts such as Bill Gates’ support for a Green Revolution in Africa are frequently criticized as neo-colonialism. That may be overstating things, but parachuting in with big money and big ideas remains common in global giving.
Inside the Howard G. Buffett Foundation’s Big Bet on Rwanda
IP reports from Africa on Buffett’s $435 million investment and lofty ambitions for transforming agriculture in Rwanda and beyond. The push includes a new university, a large irrigation project, and close government partnership.
Why Open Philanthropy’s Backing This Evidence-Based Solution for Safe Water
Open Philanthropy and GiveWell are bringing their close-knit effective altruist partnership to bear on the problem of unsafe water. Here’s how they’re helping provide community chlorine dispensers to several African countries.
Philanthropy Can Seed Agroecology
Philanthropist Wendy Schmidt makes a case for greater funder support for agroecology, which draws upon Indigenous knowledge to create resilient food systems that safeguard biodiversity.
With a Flurry of Gifts, MacKenzie Scott And Dan Jewett Make a Statement in Brazil
One area of focus to emerge in MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett’s global giving is civil society and human rights work in Brazil. A series of donations makes it clear the country is a priority. Here’s why and where the money is going.
This Funder Collaborative Is Taking on Sovereign Debt, a Growing Problem in the Global South
Sovereign debt has a big impact on the ability of nations in the Global South to ensure basic human rights and protections, especially post-COVID. A pooled fund with some huge backers is looking to make a difference.
Round Four: Here’s What You Need to Know About MacKenzie Scott’s Latest List of Gifts
At long last, our two-time winner for Philanthropist of the Year has dropped another Medium post—this time with the names of grantees included. Here are some key takeaways.
To Progress On Food and Hunger, Funders Need to Redefine “Evidence” and Decolonize Research
Guest contributor Lauren Baker argues that when it comes to complex challenges like transforming food systems, rethinking predominant assumptions about evidence should be a priority for funders.
