Philanthropy at a Crossroads: Confronting the past by embracing futures thinking

As we face an increasingly complex world, the current state of philanthropy begs an important question: can it rise to meet society’s escalating challenges? Judging by the scale and pace of global crises, from climate change to systemic inequalities, it often feels like the efforts of philanthropic organisations are falling short. Many leaders in the field realise that tinkering around the edges won’t be enough to meet the demands of a future marked by uncertainty. A fundamental shift in approach is necessary. The question now is: can the philanthropic sector embrace futures thinking, challenging its own legacy, and transform into an engine for change?

At the heart of this challenge lies our perception of time. For centuries, we have been beholden to a linear understanding of time, embodied by the Greek notion of Chronos — the chronological passage of time that we measure, track, and organise our lives around. Chronos dominates our thinking in philanthropy, governing funding cycles, project timelines, and strategic goals. But the future demands something more. It demands Kairos, the other Greek concept of time, which focuses on the qualitative, the opportune, and the ability to seize the right moment for action.

Futures thinking, particularly within philanthropy, taps into Kairos. It enables us to shift from a reactive stance based on predictable projections to a more fluid, responsive, and visionary approach. This thinking is not about predicting the future but about exploring multiple possibilities, anticipating shifts, and preparing for them. It is a mindset that enables philanthropy to not only adapt to emerging challenges but to actively shape the future.

This shift was at the core of the 2024 futures philanthropy gathering, hosted at the centuries-old Castle of San Sebastiano dal Po in Italy. Leaders from across Europe gathered, not just to exchange ideas but to reflect deeply on the past and future of philanthropy. What became clear during this meeting was that to move forward, philanthropy must question its own assumptions, particularly its colonial roots and the power imbalances inherent in its traditional models. Futures thinking offers a new lens through which to interrogate these legacies and imagine a new path forward.

One of the most striking aspects of the gathering was the focus on integrating diverse perspectives, from learning from grassroots movements to embracing the arts as a means of fostering new ways of seeing. This is not just a philosophical exercise. As traditional governance and funding models fail to address the needs of communities, many philanthropic organisations are experimenting with more participatory models, ceding power and allowing communities to take the lead. This kind of experimentation opens the door for philanthropic institutions to reimagine their role — not as distant benefactors, but as true partners in systemic change.

Yet, scepticism remains. Some wonder if philanthropy, with its colonial history and concentrated power structures, truly belongs in the future. Can an institution built on wealth, often accumulated through exploitation, really be a force for good? The tension between philanthropy’s past and its future cannot be ignored. However, what the gathering at San Sebastiano dal Po demonstrated is that the future of philanthropy lies in its ability to adapt, transform, and align itself with broader movements for justice.

The story of Luca Garrone, the owner and restorer of the castle where the gathering was held, offers a compelling metaphor for the challenges facing philanthropy today. When his family bought the crumbling mansion decades ago, they had no clear plan. Over the years, through perseverance, creativity, and a deep respect for the past, Luca has painstakingly restored the castle, uncovering hidden gems along the way. In many ways, the task facing philanthropy today is similar. It must engage in a process of restoration, not only of its reputation but also of its fundamental purpose. Like the centuries-old castle, philanthropy’s structures need to be reimagined for a new age, while staying true to its core mission of serving the public good.

Futures thinking is central to this process. It allows organisations to move beyond short-term fixes and embrace long-term, systemic change. But more than that, it requires a deeper engagement with both the past and the future. In the same way that Luca uncovered the hidden history of the castle through his restoration efforts, philanthropy must uncover and confront its own history, understanding how its past has shaped its present, and how it can chart a new course for the future.

This approach is already being embraced by some organisations, which are learning from social movements and their fluid, adaptive approaches to change. These movements offer a model for how philanthropy can remain agile in the face of uncertainty. Others are looking to the arts to foster creativity and healing, recognising that to move forward, we must first reconcile with the past.

In many ways, the convergence of Chronos and Kairos — the linear and the qualitative aspects of time — is an apt metaphor for what the future of philanthropy could look like. It is not about abandoning strategic plans or measurable outcomes, but about balancing them with a deeper understanding of the human experience and the complex systems in which we operate.

As the gathering ended, the participants left with a renewed sense of purpose. They recognised that philanthropy, despite its flaws, has the potential to be a powerful force for change. But to fulfil this potential, it must embrace foresight and futures thinking. It must break from its past while learning from it, and it must engage with the world not as it is, but as it could be.

The future of philanthropy is uncertain, but that is precisely what makes it so exciting. If we can learn to see through the cracks — those imperfections where light passes through — we might just discover a better path forward. Futures thinking offers philanthropy a chance to not only survive but to thrive, to become an engine of change that is as dynamic and unpredictable as the world we are trying to shape.