‘The Role of Philanthropy in Society’ study, started in 2016 by Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace, has now been completed after the publication of their latest report. The aim of the study is to gain an understanding of the role that philanthropy is playing in society in various countries across the world. What’s happening now and what potential role could it play in the future?

The study was driven by the lack of knowledge of the scale and role of philanthropy in countries where philanthropy is culturally rooted but not well documented and often less institutionalized, mainly in emerging market countries.

The results of the study provide an understanding of the current landscape of philanthropy – including trends, strengths and weaknesses, what inhibits or supports it, what makes it more or less effective in terms of furthering progressive social change causes in a range of countries. It also draws out strategies that work if philanthropy is to be an effective agent of social transformation.

The reports were authored by former Alliance magazine editor Caroline Hartnell and current associate editor Andrew Milner.

Download and read the full series below:

Philanthropy in India – October 2017

Author: Caroline Hartnell

Published by Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace in association with Alliance, WINGS and the Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy, Ashoka University.

Philanthropy in Russia – January 2018

Author: Caroline Hartnell

Published by Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace in association with CAF Russia, WINGS and Alliance.

Philanthropy in the Arab Region – March 2018

Author: Caroline Hartnell

Published by Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace in association with Alliance, Arab Foundations Forum, John D Gerhart Center for Philanthropy, King Khalid Foundation, Philanthropy Age, SAANED and WINGS

Philanthropy in Brazil – May 2018

Authors: Caroline Hartnell and Andrew Milner

Published by Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace in association with Alliance, WINGS and Philanthropy Network for Social Justice.

For commentary on the ‘The Role of Philanthropy in Society’, see:

• Philanthropy in Brazil: Obstacles, challenges and opportunities – Graciela Hopstein
• Philanthropy in Brazil: can funders play a more substantial role? – Ana Valéria Araújo
• We need to encourage more people to write about their work – Atallah Kuttab
• Report on current state of Brazilian philanthropy launched – Alliance magazine
• Deeper issues for Arab philanthropy need to be discussed – Nora Lester Murad
• Philanthropy in captivity: counter-terrorism measures and Arab philanthropy – Sherine El Taraboulsi
• A critical moment for philanthropy in India– Pradeep Patra
• Some key issues for philanthropy in the Arab region – Atallah Kuttab
• Russian philanthropy’s changing landscape: Growth spurts and growing pains – Lauren Bradford
• Philanthropy in the Arab Region – reflections from the UAE – Dr. Natasha Ridge
• Arab philanthropy moves from charity to development, new reports finds – Alliance magazine
• Observations on Philanthropy in Russia – John Slocum