Philanthropy in the United States
Based on access to decades of public tax records, the Foundation Center provides a striking picture of giving for development in the United States over time. It shows that amounts of United States’ giving to international causes have risen more than threefold over 2002-14 from USD 2 billion (or 14% of the total) to USD 15 billion (over 25% of total United States giving). The scale of giving to development by US philanthropists is confirmed by additional analyses of giving on issues related to the SDGs (rather than on international giving as a whole). Over 2010‑15, US‑based foundations (along with another 2 000 organisations based in other countries that report data to the Foundation Center) made grants worth more than USD 112 billion.
Yet access to consistent data on philanthropy for development worldwide is not yet available, which is why surveys by the OECD and others are so important. The influence of the SDGs means that foundations are applying the language of development more systematically. Efforts such as SDGfunders.org and the work of netFWD are hastening this process.
Contributed by Larry McGill, Foundation Center
Philanthropy in Europe
Agenda 2030 on sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have created momentum and led European philanthropists to step up their engagement in relation to the development agenda.
Today, 7% of newly created foundations in Germany have included development work in their objectives compared to only 5% over 1990-99. Members of Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe report that, in their respective countries, foundations follow a similar trend: more of them provide grants that directly support projects in developing countries.
Foundations work in all areas addressed by the SDGs. However, certain dimensions resonate particularly well with philanthropy, such as “leave no one behind” and the fight against inequality. The SDGs represent a framework for foundations to position and measure their impact, provide opportunities on how to tackle complex and interconnected challenges, and help ensure – through support for civil society – that governments are held accountable.
However, foundations need a conducive enabling environment to work in ways that are effective, efficient, accountable and sustainable. Even within Europe, this enabling environment is not seen as favourable to philanthropy that supports development. For donors and foundations willing to give across borders, taxation barriers and uncertainty about charitable status in the recipient country are two of many limitations. Regulators at national and European levels can do much more to shape the enabling environment for foundations so they can better leverage their potential to support development.
Contributed by Max von Abendroth, Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE)
Philanthropy in Asia
Philanthropic practices vary across Asia based on history, culture, religion and laws. Much philanthropy by high-net-worth individuals and family foundations is confined to traditional giving. However, the next generation is driving a movement towards strategic philanthropy and social investing, as evident in Thailand and the People’s Republic of China (hereafter “China”). For their part, Malaysia and Indonesia see substantial contributions through religious funding.
In economies with a legacy of wealth such as Singapore and Hong Kong, China family foundations play a prominent role. Family foundations innovate across the region: RS Group in Hong Kong, China is vocal about its “Total Portfolio Approach” to asset allocation, while the Putera Sampoerna Foundation in Indonesia invests in nurturing local communities. Zuellig and Ayala Foundation in the Philippines are pioneering the venture philanthropy model in their own unique ways. In India, Tata Trusts and a host of philanthropists and family offices are significantly broadening the horizons of giving by supporting under-funded causes through both venture philanthropy and impact investing.
Corporate philanthropic contributions in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) vary in Asia. India’s 2013 CSR law compelled all large companies to give 2% of their profits to social and environmental initiatives; this law is beginning to bear fruit as companies create vehicles for structured giving. Japan and Korea have examples of corporates using venture philanthropy and setting up equity funds for impact investing. Manufacturing companies in India tend to have strategic and sustainable CSR that bring equitable value to all stakeholders. CSR in Cambodia, Viet Nam and Singapore are largely driven by international trade imperatives, while multinational corporations are driving international CSR best practices in countries such as Myanmar and China.
Contributed by Martina Mettgenberg-Lemière, Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN)
Philanthropy in the Arab region
Since the protests in the Middle East and North Africa in 2010, Arab youth have seen their circumstances and quality of life largely diminish, with restrictions on freedoms of speech and expression in some cases, as well as a burgeoning unemployment rate. Some Arab governments have struggled to address the pressing needs of the region’s youth, with more progress in some countries more than others. The region’s philanthropic sector has begun to change its stance towards addressing issues affecting Arab youth. The under-30 cohort, which makes up 60% of the region’s population, is increasingly recognised as a priority target group with the potential and promise of being change makers.
These demographic realities, along with the rallying cry for a better quality of life, were the catalysts for the Arab Foundations Forum to launch a coalition aimed at creating better opportunities for jobs for Arab youth. Similarly, in another paradigm shift, funders are beginning to recognise and acknowledge the need to move beyond mechanisms like foundations and traditional grant-making in addressing those needs. Arab philanthropists, donors, and foundations are increasingly interested in the potential of social enterprises to help youth consolidate or acquire entrepreneurial skills. Such an approach can empower youth to build financially viable businesses that can resolve social challenges at scale, which is particularly necessary for a region with the highest youth population, and one of the highest populations of unemployment, in the world.
Contributed by Naila Farouky, Arab Foundations Forum (AFF)
Philanthropy in Latin America: the Mexican case
Following the colonial period in Latin America, where individuals helped others out of a sense of personal responsibility, governments developed social programmes, as well as regulations to frame the activities of civil society organisations (CSOs). In turn, CSOs filled gaps in areas considered beyond the reach of government, such as projects and policies aiding minorities. The first wave of democratisation in the 1980s helped spur a more vibrant and active civil society, with a focus on advocacy.
In recent years, the line between CSOs and foundations in the region has become blurred. Foundations across the region are often both grant-makers and grant‑seekers. In other words, they implement activities both through their core budgets and fundraising. However, this practice emerged in an environment in which foundations do not have a separate legal status from CSOs. Currently, foundations lack a supply of reliable grantees to implement projects.
Over the last 20 years in Mexico, rising awareness of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and a law supportive of civil society led to the creation of many foundations. However, civil society has been hampered by broad societal concerns about corruption, illegal trading, money laundering and drug dealing. A 2012 law, for example, identified CSOs as vulnerable to exploitation by criminals seeking to launder money. Though this may only concern a minority in practice, it may hamper overall giving. In addition, philanthropy may not be entirely immune to funders pursuing commercial or personal interests.
Contributed by Lourdes Sanz Moguel and Romina Farías Pelayo, Centro Mexicano para la Filantropía (Cemefi)