Driving Change at Scale with Philanthropy
Insights from Global Philanthropists at #SkollWF 2024
Explore additional insights from our comprehensive conference coverage of the 2024 Skoll World Forum.
This fireside chat at the 2024 Skoll World Forum focused on the role of philanthropy in driving large-scale societal change. Rohini Nilekani, chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, and Don Gips, CEO of the Skoll Foundation, discussed the responsibility that comes with wealth and the importance of collaboration between government, markets, and civil society in achieving meaningful impact. They emphasized the need for philanthropists to listen to communities, build trust, and take risks, allowing local partners to take the lead in driving change.
Key Takeaways
Collaboration is Key
One of the main takeaways from the session was the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful societal change. Nilekani emphasized that collaboration between government, markets, and civil society is essential for tackling complex issues. The launch of the Centre for Exponential Change, a $40 million collaborative effort between the Skoll Foundation, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, and other partners, exemplifies this approach. C4EC aims to support “systems orchestrators” who work behind the scenes to coordinate and facilitate collaboration between various stakeholders.
Shifting the Philanthropic Mindset
Another key insight from the session was the need for philanthropists to adopt a new mindset and approach to giving. Nilekani stressed that philanthropists must learn to listen to communities, build trust, and take risks, allowing their partners (rather than “grantees”) to take the lead in driving change. This requires acknowledging and addressing the inherent power imbalance between philanthropists and those they support, through trust, humility, and a willingness to let go of control. Additionally, philanthropists should be open to supporting new actors and ideas, moving beyond the “usual suspects” to fund innovative solutions.
“Philanthropic capital is risk capital and if you don’t invest in ventures that may fail, you’re simply not doing your job as a philanthropist.”
The Power of Local and Global Philanthropy
The session also highlighted the crucial role of local and proximate funders, particularly in the Global South. These funders have a deep understanding of local contexts and needs, making them well-positioned to drive impact effectively. Global philanthropy can amplify this impact by collaborating with and supporting local philanthropists, helping to unlock local capital for local solutions. However, it is important to prioritize context-specific solutions over uniform approaches, recognizing the diversity of challenges and opportunities across different regions and communities.
“We all have similar ideas of equity, justice, freedoms, and so many other things, right? But we cannot be uniform in our solutions. The solution has to be in context, and therefore it will be in a myriad different diverse ways. And funders also have to be very sensitive to that.”
Investing for Long-term Impact
Finally, the discussion emphasized the importance of long-term commitment and patient capital in driving sustainable change. Multi-year funding and a willingness to support partners throughout their journey are essential for systems change and lasting impact. Philanthropic capital should be viewed as risk capital, invested in ventures that may fail but have the potential for significant impact.
Call to Action
By embracing collaboration, adopting a new philanthropic mindset, leveraging the power of local and global philanthropy, and investing for long-term impact, we can collectively work towards a more just, sustainable, and equitable world. As social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and change-makers, it is our responsibility to apply these insights to our own work and continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Featured Speakers
- Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies
- Donald Gips, CEO, Skoll Foundation
Learn More
Watch this session in its entirety and explore additional #SkollWF 2024 sessions on the organization’s YouTube channel.
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