• Academic / Journal Article

The importance of taking risk in philanthropy

  • Source : thephilanthropist.ca
This article discusses the critical importance of taking calculated risks in philanthropic endeavors. It argues that traditional, risk-averse approaches may limit the potential for significant social change. The authors advocate for philanthropists to embrace innovative strategies, invest in unproven but promising solutions, and accept potential failures as learning opportunities. The piece emphasizes that bold and strategic risk-taking can lead to more impactful and transformative outcomes in addressing complex societal challenges, ultimately fostering greater social innovation and progress.
  • Academic / Journal Article

The future of philanthropy: the role of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial philanthropy

  • Source : University of Exeter
  • May 2026
This paper examines the growing influence of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial approaches within the philanthropic sector. It explores how entrepreneurial mindsets, characterized by innovation, risk-taking, and a focus on measurable impact, are transforming traditional philanthropic models. The authors discuss the rise of "philanthrocapitalism" and its implications for social change, analyzing the strengths and potential challenges of applying business principles to charitable giving. The research highlights the evolving role of entrepreneurs in addressing societal challenges.
  • Academic / Journal Article

Tactics in Philanthropy: The Case of the Moving Spotlight

  • Source : The Foundation Review
  • May 2026
Martin examines how foundations shift their attention and funding over time, likening the phenomenon to a "moving spotlight." He explores the strategic and tactical motivations behind these funding shifts, along with their impacts on grantees and broader implications for philanthropic learning and sustainability. The article emphasizes that tactical decisions—such as the timing of grants, staffing levels, and evaluations—are crucial for achieving philanthropic objectives. It argues that while strategy is much discussed, the tactical aspects often receive insufficient attention, leading to potentially lower returns on philanthropic investments.
  • Book

Social Innovation: Stepping on the Accelerator of Social Change

  • Source : Wiley
  • May 2026
This book discusses social innovation as a catalyst for large-scale societal change, detailing mechanisms such as social investment funds, innovation intermediaries, and scaling platforms. It identifies acceleration strategies, including data-driven feedback loops, ecosystem building, and policy integration, to foster rapid adoption of social solutions. The author emphasizes that social innovation often involves new combinations of existing elements, cuts across organizational boundaries, and creates compelling new social relationships to drive lasting progress.
  • Book

Social Finance: Financing Change, Changing Finance

  • Source : Handbook of Sustainable Finance
  • May 2026
This chapter surveys various mechanisms of social finance, including impact investing, socially responsible investing (SRI), and social enterprise lending, tracing its evolution from pure philanthropy to market-based capital models. It discusses how earned income fosters sustainability and scale, advocating for performance metrics that effectively balance both social and financial returns. The author calls for a comprehensive approach to social finance that leverages diverse capital sources for sustained social impact.
  • Academic / Journal Article

More than just funding: Philanthropy and service innovation: Sacred Heart Mission's journey to social inclusion

  • Source : search.informit.org
  • May 2026
This article examines Sacred Heart Mission’s journey towards social inclusion, focusing on how philanthropy has contributed to service innovation beyond mere funding. It likely explores the strategic role of philanthropic support in enabling organizations to develop, test, and scale new approaches to social challenges. The authors delve into how partnerships with funders have fostered innovation in service delivery, improved program effectiveness, and facilitated broader systemic change for social inclusion. It highlights the transformative potential of engaged philanthropy that extends beyond financial transactions.
  • Academic / Journal Article

Models of social change: Community foundations and agenda setting

  • Source : scholarworks.gvsu.edu
  • May 2026
This article explores various models of social change and examines the role of community foundations in agenda setting. It investigates how these foundations influence and shape community development initiatives. The authors likely discuss different theoretical frameworks for social change, analyze the unique position of community foundations in identifying needs and priorities, and assess their strategies for galvanizing resources and stakeholders to address complex societal issues. The research provides insights into the operational and strategic influence of community foundations in driving local and regional change.
  • Case Study

MIRA-Growing a Micro-Philanthropy Platform

  • Source : SMU Libraries
  • May 2026
This paper explores the intersection of millennials, faith, and philanthropy, examining the generation’s characteristics and their implications for charitable giving. It discusses various perceptions of millennials, ranging from altruistic to materialistic, and highlights their diversity, education, social tolerance, and digital native identity. The article delves into the complexities of millennial engagement with philanthropy, considering their desire for work with meaning beyond a paycheck, while also acknowledging research on their levels of narcissism versus optimism. It suggests that engaging with millennials in philanthropy can be a mutually transformative experience.
  • Paper / Report

Leveraging Privilege: Organizing Young People with Wealth to Support Social Justice

  • Source : SMU Libraries
  • May 2026
This report examines the mechanisms and strategies through which philanthropy acts as a catalyst for change in specific Southeast Asian countries. It likely explores the diverse forms of philanthropic giving in the region, including corporate, family, and individual philanthropy, and their impact on various social and economic sectors. The content probably analyzes the unique contexts, challenges, and opportunities that shape philanthropic practices in these nations, offering insights into effective approaches for leveraging philanthropic resources for sustainable development and social progress.
  • Paper / Report

International philanthropy in Southeast Asia: Case studies from Indonesia and the Philippines

  • Source : CiteSeerX
This article surveys the evolving landscape of philanthropy in Southeast Asia, influenced by global and local factors and diverse notions of charity, development, and business. It highlights that despite a weak enabling environment, "home-grown" philanthropy is emerging. Through case studies from Indonesia and the Philippines, the paper reveals that a country’s economic development and individual income are poor predictors of donations in the region. It also notes the nascent institutionalization of giving and the unique, more developed philanthropic sector in the Philippines.
We use essential and analytics cookies to operate this website and understand how visitors interact with it. As this site also functions as a login identity provider (IDP) for other ISDM portals, some cookies are necessary to enable secure authentication. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.
Accept & Continue