Think Philanthropy: Issues and Approaches

The Cutting Edge of Philanthropic Trends

Achieving increased impact in philanthropy demands that a giver understands the latest trends and issues confronting philanthropy.

From the changing face of technology and the global financial crisis, to the environmental degradation of climate change, socio-economic change creates new problems for philanthropy to address, and new innovations that might help it do so. The below reports are three of our insights into how philanthropy must alter in order to better effect change.

Philanthropy and Social Media (2011)

Philanthropy and Social Media, produced with generous support from the Indigo Trust, examines the various ways in which not-for-profit organisations have successfully used social media to further their goals, whether connecting disparate communities, improving service delivery and scaling up the reach and impact of their programmes.

Drawing upon in-depth case studies with funders who have invested in social media, the paper offers advice to other investors wishing to follow their lead. The paper also makes suggestions as to how grant-makers might use social media themselves to engage their stakeholders, promote their grantees' work and to become more transparent and accountable.

Download Philanthropy and Social Media

Funding Strategically in the Area of Climate Change (2009)

This paper aims to help donors identify strategic intervention points for effective giving and action in the complex arena of climate change. It is a result of the Climate Change Funding Strategy Days held by the Institute for Philanthropy and Synergos in London and New York in May 2009. It presents summaries of presentations given to groups of engaged philanthropists by experts from diverse organisations working within the field, and by other donors.

Download Funding Strategically in the Area of Climate Change

Giving in the Recession (2009)

Through original interviews with our donors and our partners, we have prepared a report on how donors are finding imaginative ways to fund strategically during the recession; the report includes ten tips for smarter giving, as well as six case studies with a range of individuals and institutions which explain how they are addressing the challenge of the current economic climate.