Philanthropy is a charitable activity that involves giving money or donating goods or time to worthwhile causes.

Philanthropy is a powerful catalyst for social change. It is a strategic approach to improving human welfare through financial contributions, resource donations, and dedicated volunteering efforts. It goes far beyond charitable giving, however, focusing on creating sustainable solutions to complex social challenges.  

What is philanthropy? 

Philanthropy offers multiple ways for individuals, organisations and corporations to drive meaningful social transformation.  

It can do this by contributing funds, resources, and time to social causes. However, it goes far beyond charity – strategic giving can address socioeconomic challenges, strengthen civil society, and unlock finance for research, advocacy and policy work, and developmental initiatives.  

Key dimensions of philanthropic giving include: 

• Financial contributions – monetary donations, grant funding, investment in social initiatives, and support for research and innovation. 
• Resource donations – goods, equipment, technology, and other forms of resource allocation. 
• Time and expertise – volunteering efforts, professional skill sharing, mentorship programmes, and knowledge transfer initiatives. 
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• Why invest in philanthropy?
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Philanthropy can play a significant role in addressing a range of challenges that have not been sufficiently addressed by the government.  

Philanthropy can be delivered in multiple ways, via wealthy individuals, private foundations, community organisations, workplace giving programmes, or social impact investors. The common denominator is a desire to create lasting change and solve complex social challenges.  

Philanthropy can help to achieve impact on a large scale and support the most vulnerable and marginalised in society. This is particularly apparent with climate philanthropy, where investments address the climate emergency. Other potential avenues of intervention include: 

• – Education development programmes
• – Youth skills training
• – Entrepreneurship support
• – Rural community development
• – Healthcare access projects
• – Gender equality initiatives
• – Environmental sustainability programmes
• – Social innovation grants
• – Research and development support
• – Community-based organisation funding
• – Grassroots project investments
• – Nonprofit support 
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Corporate social investment (CSI) is an important aspect of philanthropy and focuses on: 

• – Structured corporate giving
• – Skills development funding
• – Targeted community interventions
• – Employee volunteering programmes
• – Social impact investments
• – Multistakeholder initiatives
• – Broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) initiatives.
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Some of the key emerging trends in philanthropy include: 

• – Strategic, impact-driven giving
• – Technology-enabled donations
• – Collaborative funding models
• – Unrestricted funding and transparency 
• – Data-driven intervention design  

– Explore the topic to learn more about philanthropic initiatives, trends, and practices.