Introduction

Philanthropists, philanthropic foundations and corporate foundations are increasingly influential within international development. They are also working more closely with, or through, international and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to deliver projects and programmes of work in developing countries. However, while the overall goals of philanthropic foundations and NGOs working on international development issues may be the same – promoting social development and, particularly, improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable – the approaches, values, and structures utilised differ. This creates positive synergies and new opportunities for collaboration and innovation, but it also creates tensions between different approaches and worldviews.

This chapter explores the roles of philanthropic foundations in international development relative to NGOs, civil society and social justice. It is based on research, organisational development and capacity-building work by the International NGO Training and Research Centre (INTRAC) over several years. The research progressed iteratively, starting from an interest in opening up debate on what NGOs know, or think they know, about philanthropic foundations – and vice versa – and evolving into deeper reflections on the roles of philanthropic foundations in supporting civil society in developing countries.

The chapter first highlights the changing global context which is bringing philanthropic foundations and NGOs closer together in international development. The backdrop to the rising importance of philanthropic foundations is one of economic and social change in many countries in the Global South. Second, it delves into knowledge of philanthropic foundations in international development, particularly among NGOs. Information on the work of philanthropic foundations in development is limited, and weak mutual understanding exists between them and NGOs, even those linked by funding relationships. Tensions emerge around the perception of philanthropists as taking a technical approach to development and around the weight some philanthropists carry in development policy agendas. The third part of the chapter therefore interrogates how philanthropists engage with social justice issues, and notably the development of civil society, with an emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa.

I conclude with a reflection on two different lenses through which philanthropic foundations working in international development can be viewed, and how this might explain some of the tensions between NGOs and philanthropists; but also offer a way of moving forward into more constructive collaborative relationships.