Knowledge Tools for Global Philanthropy
by Lisa Philip
Four years ago, when I was a philanthropic adviser at a private bank, I spoke to The New York Times for an article on global giving. In my work with wealthy families in the United States and around the world, I was seeing a growing trend of cross-border giving. Part of this was related to the globalization of businesses that generated wealth, coupled with greater exposure to widespread need. Some was a result of diaspora giving as immigrant entrepreneurs funded projects in their countries of origin. Another factor was an increasing recognition that grants of all sizes could stretch further in the developing world.
Whatever the reason for the interest, a tool that proved useful to my clients, and to me, was GrantCraft's guide on international giving. Insight from funders who had worked across geographic and cultural divides provided a framework for beginners and pearls of wisdom for those with experience in this realm. A companion piece on working with intermediaries dug deeper into global grantmaking through partner organizations.
Fast forward to 2011, when GrantCraft became a project of the Foundation Center and the European Foundation Centre. Two months ago, I joined the staff of the Foundation Center as vice president for strategic philanthropy and director of GrantCraft. As I settle into my new role, I'm discovering many additional ways that the Center can be helpful to global grantmakers-U.S.-based foundations that give abroad, as well as the foundation community around the world.
For example, the Foundation Center's research department has produced several recent studies, including an international grantmaking update, a report on the global role of U.S. foundations, and a first-ever study on European foundation funding for women and girls.
One of the Foundation Center's strategic priorities is to build the global data platform for philanthropy. Data collection on philanthropy in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East is underway through partnerships with African Grantmakers Network, Arab Foundations Forum, Centro Mexicano para la Filantropí, China Foundation Center, Council on Foundations, European Foundation Centre, Fundación AVINA, Grupo de Institutos Fundações e Empresas, International Aid Transparency Initiative, Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support, and others. The Center's technical assistance is helping to make broader and deeper data available for donors around the world.
Each week, new data on grantmakers, their grant recipients, and grants are added to Philanthropy In/Sight®, an interactive tool for mapping philanthropy around the world. Increasingly, global grantmakers are commissioning the Foundation Center to convert data into knowledge tools to enhance effectiveness and collaboration. An example is WASHfunders.org, a one-stop hub with data visualization; curated research; "tagged" news feeds; and community tools for grantmakers working to improve water access, sanitation, and hygiene around the globe.
For colleagues attending the Council on Foundations Global Grantmaking Institute this week-and for other funders interested in global giving-the Foundation Center is here to help. Let us know what knowledge tools you need to be a strategic global giver.
Lisa Philp is vice president for strategic philanthropy and director of GrantCraft at the Foundation Center in New York.
