Change not Charity

Social change philanthropy has five fundamental characteristics:

  • It focuses less on ameliorating the symptoms of poverty than overcoming the causes of disadvantage and inequality. 
  • It strives to include the people who are impacted by those injustices as decision-makers. 
  • It also aims to make the field of philanthropy more accessible and diverse. 
  • In social change philanthropy, foundations are accountable, transparent and responsive in their grantmaking.
  • Donors and foundations act as allies to social justice movements by contributing not only monetary resources but their time, knowledge, skills and access to power.

Social change philanthropy embodies a belief that there can be a higher form of capitalism and better concern for humanity, one that needs to be aggressively promoted, one that facilitates the power of people affected by exploitation.

Join the conversation about social change philanthropy