Setting the scene: thoughts on the Summit from Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker

Community Philanthropy is the fastest growing form of philanthropy in the world. Between 2000 and 2010 the number of community foundations, just one form of the movement, grew at a rate of 86% with 70 foundations being established worldwide. Other forms of philanthropy often stop at raising funds and providing grants and forget to develop people. In this respect community philanthropy offers a viable, more sustainable alternative and that is likely why it is becoming so popular.

Apart from the pace of change, one of the most exciting things about community philanthropy is that it has evolved differently throughout the world in ways that work in their local context. In the U.S. it came out of an asset based approach whereas in the global south the movement rose more out of local resident engagement approaches. Both histories stand as a rejection of the more common needs focused development model, often driven by external funding. It is a wonderful thing that shifting towards community ownership allows a variety of different models, approaches and lessons to develop and this is long overdue for celebration. However it is defined, community philanthropy takes pride of place in our communities.

Despite the differences and wide ranging local contexts it is however possible to learn from the situations and experiences of others and this will be a key function of the Global Summit on Community Philanthropy. A key nugget of learning is that assets without local leadership will unlikely lead to any transformational change. Assets and grants are only supporting tools, the starting point must be communities coming together to define what matters, and working together to improve it. For example, the mission at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is to connect people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Whatever the issues coming together to ordinate approaches to accomplish shared goals is community philanthropy at its best.

The Summit will also act as a nexus for community change where the sector can develop new ways of drive forward change together with those from funders and other institutions. Though the eight Summit pillars, which offer an exciting new way to consider our work, we will have the opportunity develop this shared agenda. 

Clotilde is the President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and a GFCF board member