Community philanthropy is coming of age in a globalized world. After an extended formative period in the US and Canada, it has boomed in over 20 countries in the last three decades.

Moving into institutional adulthood, community philanthropy organizations worldwide are facing tough but necessary questions. What kind of impact are we having in terms of improving social conditions? What is the added value – for social good and the donors – of this new form of philanthropy? The main concern behind these questions is whether community philanthropy institutions are equipped – in vision, intention and operations – to bring about significant changes in their communities.