Editorials

‘We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.’ These were the words of Jo Cox in her maiden speech to the UK Parliament on …

Philanthropy is now achieving global academic visibility. The world’s first school of philanthropy opened in the US in 2013 and new philanthropy centres and chairs have emerged in recent years in Africa, India and Europe. Such interest is likely to intensify as philanthropists assume growing influence over public policy and practice. …

‘The most radical way to advance meaningful change is to shift economic, social and cultural power to those who don’t have it.’ (Peter Buffett and Jennifer Buffett, Novo Foundation) The emergence of community philanthropy offers …

In September 2011, Alliance devoted its special feature to the rise of the Gates Foundation. That feature was controversial. It highlighted concerns about the disproportionate power exercised by the foundation through its large size and …

Climate change is arguably the biggest issue facing the planet. It is therefore remarkable and surprising that only a small proportion of philanthropic resources address the issue head on – around 2 per cent. Could …

So much trouble in the world. Sixty million people have been forced to leave their homes. Twenty million have fled their country of origin. Around 1.5 million landed on the shores or crossed the borders …

Advocates are championing the agreement behind the Sustainable Development Goals. But let’s be frank about what’s missing: A committed source of funding the estimated $3.5 trillion to $5 trillion annual costs. Accountability – the agreement …

In a two-day discussion at the Bosch Foundation in June, people expressed disquiet about the endurance and impact of their work. As I write, for example, both the MacArthur and Charles Stewart Mott Foundations are …

It hardly seems possible that, after 16 amazing years, my time with Alliance is almost at an end. Paula Park, my successor, takes up her post on 1 June, and we will work together to …

It’s an old chestnut: should we fund art ‘for its own sake’ or to further some other end? Can we justify philanthropic funding for the arts when there are so many more urgent things to …