The Democratizing Philanthropy Research Initiative (DPRI) is a global network of individuals interested in collaborating on research to inform the practice of philanthropy. Philanthropy in its broadest sense are acts of generosity, help, and responsibility for one another and our communities that have existed
across cultures and civilizations long before the word philanthropy emerged. Philanthropy can be practiced by individuals –where people act with the intention to benefit others, by institutions such as private foundations and community foundations –which may offer support to human service or social change organizations, as well as by less institutionalized forms such as giving circles, mutual aid groups or networks, and solidarity economies.
DPRI was formed partly in response to critiques that philanthropy is undemocratic and reflective of power inequities in the broader society. While these are not new critiques, many in the field of philanthropy are interested in ways to practice philanthropy and partner with communities to create just and
equitable societies. This is evident in trust-based philanthropy and participatory grantmaking initiatives but also most notably in community led philanthropy efforts around the globe. DPRI aims to undertake research to inform these efforts and, in so doing, contribute to the larger public conversation on democratizing philanthropy.
Because academic institutions and researchers have been subject to many of the same critiques facing philanthropy, DPRI advocates for research that is collaborative and co-created with those in the field. More specifically, we aim to facilitate the co-creation of research on the democratization of philanthropy by convening scholars and community partners who have a track record of engaging in the realm of democratizing philanthropy, including but not limited to people and organizations experienced with community philanthropy, trustbased philanthropy practices, feminist funding practices, participatory
grantmaking and evaluation, and community-centric fundraising. By bringing together those engaged in democratizing philanthropy, either through direct practice or research, we will facilitate a learning community that conducts collaborative, cutting-edge research and develops evidence-based practices.
Philanthropy
The DPRI understands philanthropy in its broadest sense —as acts of generosity, help, and responsibility for one another and our communities. Although the term originates from the Greek ‘Philanthropía’: for the love of humankind, we recognize that its origins began in traditions of benevolence, duty, reciprocity, balance and collective care that have existed across cultures and civilizations long before this word emerged. We recognize that, in many contexts, the practices and relationships that sustain communities may not be named as philanthropy. DPRI therefore uses the term with humility and reflexivity, seeking not to overwrite local meanings, traditions, and vocabularies of care, reciprocity, and collective responsibility. Our use of the term philanthropy in our name, research, and practice includes both individual and organized philanthropy. Individual philanthropy refers to actions people take with the intention to benefit others, including – but not limited to – sharing the five T’s: Time, Treasure, Talent, Ties, and Testimony. Individual philanthropy is practiced by everyone, regardless of identity or intersectional identity traits, income, title, or location. There are several forms of organized philanthropy, including – but not limited to – highly institutionalized forms such as private foundations and community foundations, as well as less institutionalized forms such as giving circles, mutual aid groups or networks, and solidarity economies.
What do we mean by ‘democratized philanthropy’?
DPRI acknowledges that contemporary forms of institutionalized philanthropy are to a large extent a result of histories of oppression sustained through structures of colonization, capitalism and patriarchy. In this regard, elites have traditionally held the power to determine the scope and nature of philanthropy, reflecting and reproducing societal inequalities. That is why our initiative aims to collaboratively transform power structures within and across philanthropy. We argue that, in its ideal form, philanthropy enables and supports local communities to work towards the creation of just and equitable societies. Therefore, a more democratic philanthropy takes place when power is held by people and local communities working to create more equitable and just societies and is created and supported within local communities. A more democratic philanthropy seeks to acknowledge that communities can marshall power and philanthropy from the ground up. In this paper, democratization does not refer only to consultation or inclusion within preexisting structures. It also involves shifts in who defines problems, who frames legitimate knowledge, who controls resources, who makes decisions, and who is able to shape narratives, priorities, and accountability.
DPRI recognizes how philanthropy can be viewed as a contested concept as well as a controversial practice. Contemporary institutionalization of the philanthropic sector has largely been informed by and embedded within Eurocentric projects of colonialism and capitalism, which has resulted in primarily vertical forms of philanthropy. In line with these critiques, DPRI engages with ongoing debates to move beyond categorizing the world around developed and underdeveloped, Global South and Global North, givers and receivers, which are dichotomous labels that reproduce power asymmetries. These asymmetries are not only historical; they continue through the coloniality of power and knowledge, shaping which languages, methodologies, institutions, and forms of expertise are recognized as legitimate in philanthropy and in research about philanthropy. DPRI pursues research practices and outcomes that rethink if and how philanthropy can be part of global efforts for social and epistemic justice.
DPRI acknowledges and respects a more inclusive approach to philanthropy, long understood as a prosocial practice, in which any living being can engage, including humans, animals, and plants. This approach offers a more communal, and thus, horizontal, understanding of philanthropy, including mutual help or aid groups and solidarity economies. In the majority of countries, these ancient traditions of caring for each other in local communities have been observed (e.g., religious associations, burial societies, labor sharing groups), including among underrepresented social groups.
As philanthropy became institutionalized across contexts, evident from the appearance of laws and policies, norms and best practices, training and certifications, benchmarks and standards arose, there were both intended and unintended consequences. For example, dividing community members (us) into beneficiaries and donors (they/them) created separation. While the origins of philanthropy encouraged care, solidarity, and reciprocity, the formalization of the sector refashioned mutual exchange relationships into hierarchical, institutionalized donor-grantee relationships.
As scholars Anheier and Leat have said: Foundations are “perhaps the most unaccountable organizations in democratic societies” because they are not held accountable like democratic institutions are, or even the way corporations are held accountable by their shareholders. In the case of the traditional philanthropic foundations, it is often the foundation that determines which problems need solving, and who gets to decide how these problems will be solved. Rarely people and communities affected are involved in this process. This leads to a loss of care or cohesion, where solutions are forced upon communities, and solutions are often not effective because they are not locally owned nor implemented.
DPRI Objectives
Short-Term Objectives
Bridge: Connect like-minded individuals, groups, and networks.
Coordinate: Design a strategy for regional and global coordination.
Share: Create online and offline platforms for open exchange of resources, progress, and evidence across the community.
Research Agenda: Co-create a shared research agenda.
Medium-Term Objectives
Connect: Help form and/or connect research-practice partnerships.
Achieve Learning: Advance research on efforts to democratize philanthropy and philanthropy research through peer learning sessions.
Facilitate: Update research agenda based on emerging data.
Update: Ensure that the new evidence is shared broadly, in accessible formats among researchers and practitioners.
Long-Term Objective
Democratize philanthropy through the co-creation of philanthropy research.
