From intermediaries to transformative partnerships

This practice note explores the role of intermediaries in philanthropic aid flows through the experience of a collaborative partnership between two organisations: a US-based international funding intermediary and a Philippines-based regional hub that supports communities to build on their existing assets, strengths and capacities. The case study presented offers reflections from the authors on how the partnership evolved in ways that shared power, shifted decision-making and resources closer to communities and built an equitable partnership. Reflections and recommendations to increase equity in grantmaking, encourage community philanthropy and model community-led change are offered through four lenses (Purpose, Partnership, Practice and Perspective), giving practical insights and readily applicable approaches that can support intermediaries and others to think critically about their role and evolve ways of being and doing

Business · Intermediary · Pedagogy · Sociology · Transformative learning · Community Development and Social Impact · Finance