Welcome to this new – and new look – issue of Alliance magazine

This issue includes a special feature on leadership in philanthropy. Too often, our focus in popular depictions is on the lifestyles of elite philanthropists or the views of big personalities in our field.  

But what about the committed individuals working in or leading philanthropic foundations? Often, they’re tasked with difficult judgements about allocating resources, navigating between family members and professionals, and managing teams. This special feature is guest edited by two exceptional women leading by example, Zimbabwean Tendisai Chigwedere, who is transitioning after six years at TrustAfrica. Chigwedere is joined by Sufina Ahmad of the John Ellerman Foundation, a foundation which has emerged as an important reforming voice in British philanthropy. Check out their introduction to the question of leadership in philanthropy in their lead article.

It’s a truism in philanthropy circles that trends which develop in the US rarely remain there. One such example is the rise of fiscal sponsorship – a novel mechanism to de-risk philanthropic capital, pool funding, foster collaboration and reduce reporting and other administrative burdens.  

Elsewhere, we have an exclusive piece from Australian assistant philanthropy commissioner Krystian Seibert. He discusses proposed reforms to philanthropy in Australia ahead of a final report for the Australian government in May. 

Finally, I’m happy to be writing a new monthly column inviting you to think differently about philanthropy. Like Alliance itself, Critical Friend holds a mirror up to our field, offers challenge and praise, and alternatives to the status quo. I hope to illuminate where philanthropy can and must do better drawing on two decades as foundation director, campaigner and editor. 

But being critical doesn’t mean being condescending or wishing something away. Rather, it means valuing something and being valued by it. We deeply value the institution of philanthropy and you, our readers, reading us or tuning into our events from across the philanthropic world.  

In the spirit of being our critical friend, we urge you to get in touch with your ideas, feedback and criticisms. Please don’t hesitate to let us know whenever we fall short of your expectations.  

Alliance strives to be the place for what’s happening in our field, the place to think about what’s happening, and a place to discover pathways to a better future. Of course, none of that is possible without you.  

Enjoy the new issue.