The current report is an effort to put diversity back at the heart of philanthropy by drawing a comprehensive and provocative picture of current trends and challenges the world over – from individual forms of giving to community philanthropy and structured, institutional giving. More

According to the 2018 Global Giving Trends, the top 5 donated to causes were Children and youth (15%), Health and wellness (10.8%), Animals and wildlife (10.5%), Human and social services (8.1%) and Hunger and homelessness (7.6%).

54% of donors worldwide preferred to give Online with a credit or debit card while only 10% used the traditional bank/wire transfer system. In Africa, however, the trend is slightly different with 32% preferring to give cash, 25% online, 15% through a mobile app/wallet and 14% by bank/wire transfer.

Each of these, however, have played or continue to play fundamental roles in mass -based action demanding political, civic and socio-economic rights. Each of these is based on the African continent. Yet not a single one, or any of the other multitudes of African-based movements, is referenced in any of the literature on philanthropy and social movements to the best of my knowledge. More

Darren Walker, the President of Ford Foundation says there should be loud “shouts” of ‘glorious tongues at the coming of hope’ for philanthropy in 2019.

In the era of great challenges that this crucial sector faces, such as the “undemocratic nature of wealth and philanthropy”, structural racism in many parts of the world and a “rigged economic system” that strengthen the economic and social structures that separate the haves from the have-nots..More

In the March 2017 issue, Alliance magazine associate editor Andrew Milner’s article “Shading in the blanks on the philanthropy advice map” explored the how the US and Europe might be exercising a distorting influence in the field of philanthropic advisory services. He also looked at those locations around the globe in which the sector has yet to develop. However, I would respectfully add to that analysis a failure to intentionally engage donors of colour of wealth, particularly those from the African Diaspora.

One benefit of participatory grant-making reflected on in the guide, is how it builds connectivity among grantees and strengthens social movements. Nadia van der Linde of the Red Umbrella Fund says participants continually emphasise how much they learn from their participation. “They connect with other organisations or people in the movement and see the benefits of solidarity and learning from peers. More

Oxfam just published a paper on the ‘shrinking civic space’ around the world. In the Paper “Space to be Heard: Mobilizing the power of people to reshape civic space” Oxfam notes that there is a relentless squeeze in dozens of countries on the activities of civil society organizations (CSOs) and activists. More