Gauri Mahendra’s Post

"We hope to see more and more people and organisations exploring collaborative philanthropy, whether it is by joining a collaborative or by driving collaborative modes of working and funding." In a new blog for WINGS, our Founder and CEO Olivia Leland and Silvia Bastante de Unverhau discuss the evolution and impact of #collaborativephilanthropy, its challenges, successes, and potential for driving systemic change in philanthropic practices globally. In your opinion, what can be done to further scale the potential and impact of collaborative giving? Let us know in the comments!

Women-led giving is transforming philanthropy, with a focus on collaborative, impact-driven approaches that prioritize education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. In the last decade, initiatives like the Maverick Collective by PSI have mobilized women philanthropists to invest in innovative global health solutions. These efforts aren’t just alleviating symptoms—they’re creating sustainable change. Forbes explores how women are becoming architects of social change, driving $100M+ in funding for critical initiatives: https://bit.ly/4f83hXB   #WomensPhilanthropy #Philanthropy #WomenInLeadership #Collaboration

🌟 Empowering Women's Philanthropy: A Catalyst for Lasting Change 🌟 In the world of philanthropy, women are not just donors – they're catalysts for transformational impact. Women’s giving is rooted in empathy, inclusivity, and a commitment to creating sustainable solutions for our most pressing issues. Research highlights that when women lead in philanthropy, communities and causes benefit from a more holistic, community-centered approach. However, there’s still work to be done to fully recognize and support women’s unique contributions to the field. According to GlobalGiving, women philanthropists bring a crucial perspective and a collaborative spirit that fuels social progress. Here’s why supporting women’s leadership in philanthropy is essential: ✅ Diverse Perspectives: Women often prioritize funding for underserved communities and issues, adding invaluable diversity to philanthropic initiatives. ✅ Collaboration Over Competition: Women's approach to philanthropy is more collaborative, focusing on partnerships that amplify impact. ✅ Sustainable Solutions: Women donors tend to be more focused on the long-term, advocating for systemic change rather than temporary fixes. It’s time we continue to advocate for and invest in women’s leadership in philanthropy. When women lead, we see transformational results that benefit entire communities. Let’s celebrate and support women who are not just changing the game but are creating a future where philanthropy is as inclusive as it is impactful. If you are ready to invest in women's leadership, engagement, and philanthropy, reach out to Spark Womens Philanthropy! Let's have a conversation! #WomensPhilanthropy #InclusiveLeadership #ImpactfulGiving #SocialChange #LeadershipInPhilanthropy #SparkWomensGiving

Returning wealth can be reparative and healing, and can turn complicity into solidarity.. In practicing solidarity, fortunately, there are highly organized and effective social movements whom we can turn to, composed of and led by frontline communities, who are paving the way toward transformative change. However, while social movements have gained some recognition and acceptance within philanthropy, many funders still engage with them primarily out of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) obligations rather than a genuine understanding of their necessity and functioning. Simply including social movements in existing philanthropic portfolios is not enough. So, what if philanthropy funded social movements like it wanted them to win? Our co-Executive Directors, Chung Wha Hong and Sara Mersha, explore how philanthropy can fundamentally shift its relationship with social movements to achieve the equity and justice it seeks. Read more about it in this piece for Kosmos Journal’s Healing Wealth issue: https://lnkd.in/eahzwdSg

📣 The annual State of Gender-wise Giving survey is now open and we invite Australia’s ‘AFR Top 50’ corporate and philanthropic organisations to take part. 🗞 Piloted in 2022 and launched in 2023, the survey captures the annual philanthropic investment in women and girls by the ‘AFR Top 50’ corporate and philanthropic organisations (as published in the Australian Financial Review). It provides a national snapshot of whether, and how, the nation’s largest givers think about gender equity when making philanthropic investment decisions and provides an important benchmark to understand philanthropic investment in women and girls. 📶 The survey results are published in aggregate and participants are provided with an individualised report for their organisation, enabling comparison against an emerging sector wide benchmark for gender-wise giving. 📊 Results from the 2023 State of Gender-wise Giving survey found that: - A third of corporate organisations apply a gender lens in their community investments but only 1 in 8 can estimate how much funding is directed to women and girls - Only just over a third of corporate respondents had a stated commitment to gender equity when making decisions on community investments or giving programs, even though more than 90% had gender commitments linked to employment and organisational leadership. -Barriers to targeted investment included a lack of data and examples, and lack of knowledge and education and challenges convincing decision-makers to apply a gender lens. ➡ For more visit: https://lnkd.in/gWVZq9EB 🙏 The 2024 online survey has been produced in partnership with The Evolved Group and leverages research by John McLeod, JBWere Philanthropic Services and Jarrod Miles, Strive Philanthropy and GivingLarge. We thank them for their support. 🙏 A big thank you also to our 2024 Steering Committee for their professional consideration and advice in preparation of this year’s survey: Amy Coetzee Minderoo Foundation Anita Hopkins Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation Ashley Fairfield Equity Trustees Emma King Orica Garreth Chandler The Evolved Group Georgina Byron AM Snow Foundation Jackie Coates Telstra Foundation Janet Liu  ANZ Jarrod Miles Strive Philanthropy and GivingLarge John Mcleod JBWere  Julie Reilly OAM Australians Investing In Women Kate Stone AustralianPhilanthropicServices Nicola Stokes GAICD AMP #stateofgenderwisegiving #survey #philanthropy #research #genderwise #genderlens #investinwomen

The Women’s Philanthropy Institute just released Women Give 2024: 20 Years of Gender & Giving Trends, a groundbreaking analysis of two decades of philanthropy through a gender lens. This comprehensive study reveals: 🔹 Women’s resilience in giving, even during societal and economic shifts like COVID-19 🔹 How the pandemic reshaped giving trends, with new challenges for women donors 🔹 Practical insights for nonprofits to better engage and support women donors ✨ Key Takeaway: Women donors are powerful agents of change, addressing immediate needs and driving systemic solutions. 👉 Dive into the data, trends, and actionable insights to build a more inclusive philanthropic future. #WomenGive2024 #GenderAndGiving #Philanthropy #Nonprofits #WomenInPhilanthropy

Today is Give to Women and Girls Day, and I couldn’t be more happy that GlobalGiving is joining as a partner in this growing movement. This day is about more than just philanthropy—it’s about unlocking the full potential of women’s leadership and giving around the globe. At GlobalGiving, we see firsthand the incredible impact women have as leaders, innovators, and collaborators. Women like Takia in Bangladesh (Read all about her in this article https://lnkd.in/eeNhCsnM!) are not only breaking down barriers for themselves—they're creating ripple effects of change within entire communities. I believe deeply in the future of women’s philanthropy. There’s a profound shift happening as women take the reins in giving—and the best part? We’re just getting started. From our own GlobalGiving Women in Tech Giving Circle to the incredible local leaders in our community, women are shaping the future in ways we’ve only begun to imagine. As Melinda French Gates said this year in the New York Times: “I think we haven’t run the experiment fully yet. It’s only been in the last decade that you’re seeing women really come into their own in philanthropy. I mean, we have a hundred years of history in philanthropy before that, but it was really the men who controlled the resources… So give us another 25 years, and then ask me the question again.” And of course, I think it's much more than an experiment, but is a tidal wave force for generosity that will only grow stronger. Incredibly grateful for Jacqueline Ackerman and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute as they continue to lead on groundbreaking research in this area and in catalyzing this amazing day. And I’m excited to continue building this future—one where women everywhere have the resources and opportunities they deserve to lead and make lasting change. Let’s keep pushing forward, together. #GiveToWomenAndGirlsDay #WomenLeadChange #WomensPhilanthropy #IDonateToWomenAndGirls #GenderEquality

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧-𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 The recent article from Live Mints sheds light on a powerful trend in the philanthropic world: the increasing influence of women in driving social change. Women like Melinda French, MacKenzie Scott, and Rohini Nilekani are not only leveraging their financial independence but also setting new benchmarks for effective giving. 🌟 Their innovative approaches and focus on direct impact are reshaping traditional philanthropic practices. For instance, MacKenzie Scott’s “no strings attached” policy empowers NGOs to utilize funds as they see fit, ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed most. 🌍💡 In India, figures like Rohini Nilekani and Rajashree Birla are leading significant initiatives in environmental and social causes, independently of their family wealth. This movement is further bolstered by the rise of women billionaires and a supportive ecosystem that encourages women-led philanthropy.🌱 Women’s higher accountability and focus on complex societal issues are producing tangible benefits, making their philanthropic efforts not only impactful but also inspirational. This transformative shift promises a more inclusive and innovative future for philanthropy. 💪✨ 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒 : https://lnkd.in/gwa-JNew #WomenInPhilanthropy #ImpactfulGiving #SocialChange #Empowerment #InnovativeGiving

What does it mean to embrace an equity lens in philanthropy? How can you address systemic race, gender, and economic inequities in your funding decisions and processes?     In this blog post, consultant Lekisha Middleton of The Good Success Network explains the significance of equity in philanthropic grantmaking and how you can incorporate it into your work. 

#DEIimpact | The shift in thematic focus to emerging areas (such as art and culture) "should also translate to more funding for women overall, similar to the increased funding towards climate action," says Aarti Mohan, on women's increased involvement in these spaces. Read this article, published in Alliance magazine, on the 15th edition of Dasra Philanthropy Week, which focused on impact from the perspective of gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion: https://bit.ly/43tgh5X https://lnkd.in/gRjt-_AS Lekhya Reddy