What role can philanthropy play in strengthening democracy and equality? How can it move beyond funding projects to tackle deeper challenges like polarisation, inequality and erosion of trust? Read More
Funders can’t just hand out money and hope for the best. We need real partnerships - especially with those experiencing and tackling inequality every day. But how do we build those partnerships in a way that feels fair? Read More
It’s been, to the day, exactly five years since I joined the world of philanthropy. I had, until then, only courted the sector from behind a veil, as a grantee of philanthropic foundations who had generously supported my work in protecting children and their rights. Read More
Who truly finds your foundation relevant? Equality is not abstract; it is daily practice. Foundations that embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging strengthen both their societal impact and their legitimacy. Read More
A personal journey I was born under a dictatorship in Romania. My childhood was shaped by two hours of state-controlled television a day, newspapers filled with propaganda, and whispered warnings from my parents not to speak openly about politics. Voting meant choosing between identical faces on a ballot – each… Read More
When we first stepped into our roles at Fenomenal Funds, a feminist funder collaborative supporting women’s funds, we entered with curiosity and uncertainty. Phoebe’s background in feminist programming, research, and experience on a women’s fund board provided a foundation, while Shama’s focus as a feminist activist-scholar lay in understanding philanthropy’s… Read More
Ireland is at an interesting moment in the development of its philanthropic sector. For the first time in the history of the State, there is a National Policy on Philanthropy which aims to “deepen understanding and knowledge, create an enabling environment and accelerate engagement with philanthropy in Ireland for social… Read More
Portugal’s Golden Visa programme has long been a gateway for non-EU investors to gain residency through strategic financial contributions. Over time, this programme has cultivated a distinct “Golden Visa culture,” where investment migration is not just about residency but also about economic and social influence. Within this landscape, foundations play… Read More
Foundations have long championed human rights, justice and democracy. Now is the time to extend that leadership into the age of AI. The need is urgent. The risks are real. And the potential - for both harm and radical progress - is immense. Read More
Equality Bodies are a cornerstone of Europe’s democratic architecture, ensuring that anti-discrimination laws are not just words on paper. But too often, they are underfunded, politically vulnerable, and invisible to those they serve. Philanthropy can be a vital ally in helping these institutions turn equality into reality. Read More
