Navigating philanthropy in the Global South

The approach to philanthropy in the Global South is rapidly changing.

Philanthropists are keen to understand how they can best effect change, looking more critically at their approach to giving, and where and how they can have the greatest impact, taking account of a fast-changing geopolitical landscape. However, undertaking philanthropy in this region is not just a replication of the Global North. Philanthropists are up against higher risk locations where due diligence can be difficult; governments rapidly change, and their budgets are considerably lower and there are markedly differing cultures.

Towards the end of last year, we hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion looking at how philanthropists can navigate the Global South and have a big impact with their charitable giving. Hosted by Private Wealth Partner, Clare Stirzaker, the discussion was enriched with some leading philanthropy experts Clare Woodcraft, Jamie Fyleman, Jean Sattijo Tanudjojo, Kamal Munir, Dr Nitya Mohan Khemka and Sonal Shah. Where together, they explored case studies along with learnings from the new book ‘Reimagining Philanthropy in the Global South’.

With our audience, our panel brought about rich insights and inspiring conversation and some of the key themes …

• A shift away from the Global North’s approach: One of the key themes addressed was the tension between the philanthropic frameworks established in the Global North and the realities of the Global South. Kamal Munir pointed out that the donor-driven, top-down strategies common in northern philanthropy often fail to address the systemic challenges faced in the Global South. This gap was exacerbated by the pandemic, which highlighted the need for more localised, flexible approaches that account for the complexities of the region.
• Empowering the Global South: Clare Woodcraft emphasised the growing need for philanthropy in the Global South and the rise of family offices as new players in the philanthropic space. She underscored the importance of empowering local foundations with unrestricted funding—an approach that encourages innovation and independence.
• Resilience and innovation: Our panellists noted that the pandemic served as a catalyst for new models of giving in the Global South. Foundations in the region demonstrated remarkable resilience, stepping up when global institutions were less active. As noted by Dr. Nitya Mohan Khemka, these organisations worked closely with governments, developing solutions that addressed local needs and provided a platform for peer-to-peer collaboration.
• Challenging the ‘White Saviour’ narrative: The discussion also touched on the need to dismantle the white saviour narrative that often dominates media coverage of philanthropy. There was a consensus that philanthropic efforts should be driven by the needs and voices of local communities. Sonal Shah pointed out that true impact comes from a partnership-based model where local communities are not passive recipients of aid but active drivers of change.
• The power of partnerships: Jamie Fyleman and Jean Sattijo Tanudjojo both emphasised the importance of partnerships in achieving systemic change. Philanthropic efforts, especially in sectors like education and human rights, often rely on collaboration with local governments and organisations. For example, Jean shared how his foundation’s work with the Indonesian government and created a multiplier effect, amplifying their impact through government channels and funding.

Looking Ahead

The event concluded with a sense of optimism about the future of philanthropy in the Global South. While challenges remain, the panellists agreed that a shift toward more equitable, localised giving models is underway and that this is just the beginning of a larger conversation about how philanthropists can navigate this region and maximise their impact.

As the philanthropic landscape continues to evolve, Boodle Hatfield remains committed to facilitating these important discussions in this ever-evolving landscape to drive positive change in philanthropy.