Newsletters

Global Philanthropy Update - June 2020

Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - 4:00 pm

Brian Kastner

Over the last few months, our world has permanently changed. The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe, extracting a high toll and exacerbating existing disparities within our globalized world and the places we live. Despite a wane in media attention, the pandemic is still a very real threat and is only getting worse in some parts of the world. COVID-19 and the recent racial injustices in the United States have prompted both a realization that our country and our world are broken, and that philanthropy has an important role to play in fixing it.

It has been heartening to see the response of philanthropies across the world.

In Asia, Chinese philanthropists were some of the first to respond, channeling hundreds of millions to COVID-19 response and even donating to support the United States.
In Europe, foundation networks like the EFC, DAFNE, and London Funders sounded rallying cries amidst the worst outbreaks in Italy, Spain and the UK.
In North America, the Philanthropy Pledge, signed by more than 760 organizations has called for general operating support and listening to grantees in hopes of making philanthropy more effective, while community foundations in both Canada and the US have served as important rapid responders and channels to local communities.
And global intermediaries have already been a vital resource for foundations, corporations, and individuals who are seeking to help those impacted by COVID-19 globally.
While the pandemic continues spread in Latin America, countries such as Brazil and Mexico already face an uphill climb, and the Black Brazilian community is experiencing an especially disproportionate increase.
In Africa, early efforts to prevent spread and long term efforts to build public heatlh infrastructure, in particular by philanthropy, have resulted in lower than predicted cases.

The pandemic reminds us why global grantmaking is so important. Global grantmakers were able to respond faster and see the devastation that COVID-19 would have on the world, because they have been building the infrastructure and the capacities of charities and health systems for decades. Global problems require global solutions, global action and global coordination.

All the best,
Brian Kastner
Manager, Global Philanthropy
Brian.Kastner@cof.org

Webinars

ICYMI: Building Trust Through Open Government Reforms & Civic Space:
A Blueprint for Recovery from COVID-19

From the OECD, an important conversation about trust and civil society

ICYMI: COVID-19: Managing a Global Response

Join the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Council as we talk about key considerations when coordinating a global response to COVID-19.

View Recording

COVID-19: Support for Mental Health, Bereavement and Grief

July 14 I 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Co-sponsored by the Council and hosted by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, this webinar is designed to help raise awareness of the intersection of mental health and COVID-19.

The Role of Philanthropy in the Socio-Economic Response to COVID-19

July 8 I 8:30am EST
Join the SDG Philanthropy Platform on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) to discuss philanthropy's role in COVID-19 recovery.

COVID-19 RESOURCES & SURVEYS

WINGS Resources in Response to COVID-19
See how philanthropic networks across the world are continuing to respond to COVID-19.

Tips and Resources for Responding Globally to COVID-19
Learn some good practices for responding to the ongoing pandemic and get easy access to Council resources on global grantmaking that can aid your response. Be sure to also check out all of the COVID-19 webinar recordings over the last few months.

The Voice of Charities Facing COVID-19 Worldwide
Hear from nonprofits across the globe about the challenges they are facing due to COVID-19 in CAF America’s survey.

SECTOR RESOURCES

Funding from a Place of Trust – Synergos and Citi Foundation
This new report explores the importance of providing general operating support and capacity building grants globally, an important component of the Philanthropy Pledge.

Risk Management Principles Guide for Sending Humanitarian Funds into Syria and Similar High-Risk Jurisdictions- ACAMS
A new comprehensive guide to complying with sanctions and dealing with difficulties around granting to Syria, including important lessons for granting to other high-risk countries.

Toolkit for Principled Humanitarian Action – Norwegian Refugee Council
A helpful resource on counterterrorism compliance and risk management, including helpful tools for any global grantmaker.

Advocacy with Borders: Responsible Grantmaking for Better Global Policy - CEP
CEP’s new report shows what foundations are doing around policy and a follow up post provides tips for global funders to engage in policy work outside the US.

Black Foundation Executives Request Action by Philanthropy on Anti-Black Racism - ABFE
The Council on Foundations joins with other national philanthropy serving organizations to stand in solidarity with ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities in their call for philanthropy to take action on anti-Black racism.