This blog is co-authored by Ina Breuer, executive director of NEID Global, and cross-posted from Alliance Magazine.
Why bold action, strong alliances, and a commitment to our shared humanity must guide the path forward. This was the clear conclusion of a global symposium co-hosted by Network of Engaged International Donors (NEID Global) and The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI).
International philanthropy stands at a tipping point. With government aid shrinking, authoritarianism rising, and public trust in institutions eroding, the question is not whether philanthropy should evolve, but whether it can rise quickly enough to meet the scale of today’s challenges. Our recent gathering – the 2025 Innovations in International Philanthropy Symposium, centered on the theme ‘Our Common Humanity’ – brought together more than 200 funders, NGO leaders, and activists to confront pressing challenges and imagine a more just and sustainable future.
The urgency of the moment, many agreed, also brings opportunity: to think anew, reprioritize, and act boldly. Here are five insights gleaned from presenters to help guide the path forward.
1. Return to core values; embrace our shared humanity
Now is the time to confront root causes, not just symptoms. As Brian Kagoro, Open Society Foundations Managing Director of Programs, warned, “our society is broken” – fractured by the loss of community, solidarity, and reciprocity. The crises we face, from diseases of overconsumption to poisoned waterways, are not accidents; they are consequences of misplaced values. ‘What we should be fixing is our basic human essence,’ he said.
Yet moments of crisis can also awaken our better nature, bringing people together in search of solutions. “The core human values of dignity, humanity, care, love, and respect for each other must guide the way forward,” urged Kate Moger with Resilio Fund. “We all share common aspirations,” echoed CIVICUS Secretary General Mandeep Tiwana, “including the desire for our children to flourish and do better than ourselves.”
Creating a resonant narrative and sense of urgency around these values is philanthropy’s challenge – and its greatest opportunity – to restore hope, foster unity, and rebuild a shared sense of responsibility.
2. Act boldly, even without all the answers
Faced with daunting global challenges and massive cuts in US government aid, philanthropy cannot afford paralysis. Former USAID Administrator Samantha Power urged donors to double down on what they care about most, or what she called “the highest peak on your mattering map… No matter how powerless you feel, you must find ways to remember your power.”
Even small steps, when grounded in purpose, can generate ripple effects. The imperative, then, is clear: act urgently in the short term while cultivating a long-term vision, anchored in shared values.
3. Philanthropy cannot act alone; alliances are essential
But even bold action has limits when taken in isolation. No single foundation or donor can meet today’s crises on their own. What philanthropy can do is be catalytic – amplifying impact by building partnerships. “This is a moment to practice development diplomacy – leveraging your investments by seeking collaborators,” urged Samantha Power, pointing to the untapped strength of diaspora networks and policy leaders at every level. “Collaboration creates ownership and allows you to turn every $1 of investment into $2 or $5.”
Alliances are not just about efficiency; they are about resilience. By weaving networks across sectors and borders, philanthropy can help counter rising authoritarianism and strengthen the social fabric that sustains democracy. As Leopoldo López, Co-Founder and Secretary General of the World Liberty Congress, put it: “Democracy isn’t going to be saved by one person, individual, or organization. It will be saved by a multi-layered network across organizations.”
To be effective, partnerships need to be rooted in a collective vision, sharing knowledge and resources accordingly. Too often philanthropic efforts are narrowly focused on individual projects and metrics without seeing how their work interconnects within larger systems. “Frameworks need to be put in place whereby partners can learn and grow from one another”, affirmed Nicholas Deychakiwsky, Senior Program Officer at the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
4. Connect funding to local realities; invest in local leaders
Calls for locally led development have grown louder in recent years, but they must be matched with action. “The people who are closer to the issues are the ones who know the solutions,” affirmed Marie Dageville, Co-Founder of The Patchwork Collective. Concerned that philanthropy is not moving as fast as it could, she emphasized the importance of identifying and resourcing those who have the knowledge and passion to lead change.
“Identify the rainmakers; invest in individuals who are leading change on the frontlines,” urged Félix Maradiaga, Director of the World Liberty Congress Academy, highlighting the dynamism of youth and climate movements. By supporting local leaders and initiatives, philanthropy builds solutions that are not only more relevant but also more sustainable over time.
5. Restore trust in governments and local institutions
Meeting today’s challenges at scale demands that philanthropy partner with public institutions that have the infrastructure, scope, and resources to drive long-term, sustainable reform. Historically, major breakthroughs in development have come when governments figured out how to do something, noted Rakesh Rajani, President of JustSystems. He urged philanthropists to seek out and support public sector leaders with vision, who can deliver on shared goals: “It’s all about people. The leverage effect is incredible when you know who to invest in and they unlock public funds.”
At the same time, Rajani stressed governments must rebuild trust by delivering meaningful outcomes, ensuring inclusivity in decision-making and benefits, and fostering systems that affirm human dignity. Philanthropy can play a vital role in catalyzing this renewal, helping to restore the compact between citizens and their institutions.
A call to action
The message from participants at the 2025 Symposium was clear: international philanthropy has never been more important. The crises before us demand urgent action, but urgency alone is not enough. Philanthropy must galvanize around a long-term vision – one that values relationships, strengthens systems, and builds the capacities needed to meet this moment head-on. That vision will only be realized by investing in people and relationships: the grassroots leaders driving change in their communities, the public servants unlocking public resources, and the alliances that protect democracy and strengthen the social fabric across difference and geographic borders.
If philanthropy can embrace and foster these values – dignity, reciprocity, solidarity, and a steadfast commitment to our shared humanity – it can help lead the way towards a more equitable, sustainable future. “We don’t have the luxury of despair,” cautioned CIVICUS’ Tiwana. “Things can change very quickly and… We can all come together to make that change.”
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Maggi Alexander is Senior Partner and Director of the Center for Global Philanthropy at The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI).
Ina Jamuna Breuer is Executive Director of the Network of Engaged International Donors (NEID-Global).
