This paper explores the potential for ‘systems theory’ to #ShiftThePower from external agencies to local people in the delivery of international development programmes. The paper is in four parts. Part 1 explains the background to #ShiftThePower and explains why a systems lens is required to achieve its aims. Part 2 describes key concepts in ‘systems theory’ and how they can be harnessed for social advance. Part 3 suggests that there are five dimensions of systems change required if we are to #ShiftThePower. Part 4 suggests a ten‑step framework for taking the work to the next stage. It was prepared in advance of the November 2019 "Pathways to Power" Symposium. Author: Barry Knight Published...

This case study profiles the Ikhala Trust, a community grantmaker attempting to unleash the power that exists in local communities and shift and share the power of dominant institutions. Established in 2002, the trust provides small grants and mentoring support to community‑based organizations operating within the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Small but mighty (and working with the small and potentially mighty) it has been at the vanguard of an approach to development assistance that is a clear departure from conventional philanthropic endeavours. Its grantmaking ethos is about valuing and investing in people and their assets, while helping to build capacities and networks so that community‑based organizations can build community relationships themselves...

This research was carried out by the Uluntu Community Foundation, to build knowledge of the available local resources in the communities where it works, and a deeper understanding of current trends and practices of giving in the Matabeleland regions. The study will serve as a baseline for the foundation, and inform its future activities. Published by: Uluntu Community Foundation Published: October 2019 Download: ‘Local giving / philanthropy in the Matabeleland Regions of Zimbabwe: What role for Uluntu Community Foundation?’

From 2013 – 2019, six U.S.‑based donor organizations, all active internationally, came together with the support of the GFCF to work as an alliance to build and promote community philanthropy as a global movement. There were three underlying factors that made this initiative unusual: The Alliance was a mix of private and public donor entities, who do not often work together in this way. It was based on a commitment to work collaboratively over a number of years around an idea. A key motivation was to promote new approaches to community philanthropy as an important part of the development portfolio to donors operating internationally. Surely, this makes it a story worth...

Community philanthropy is a growing sector across the world, but its progress has gone largely unnoticed in the world of mainstream "development financing." This is unfortunate for two main reasons. First because there might be a significant amount of money at the community level that is already being, or could be, mobilized for the SDG effort. And second, perhaps even more importantly, because the quality of that money in terms of its unique characteristics make it a resource worth focusing on. At a time when all the stops are being pulled out to find funds to meet the SDGs, this unique source of finance is being overlooked. This paper looks at four...

Community philanthropy has its origins in long‑held practices of exchange, mutual aid, solidarity, and community development. ‘Local people helping each other by sharing resources for the common good’, is an inclusive and caring practice that is found in most, if not all, cultures and communities. Nevertheless, despite renewed attention to the concept of community philanthropy among both nonprofits and philanthropists, there is limited guidance for those who wish to apply or invest in community philanthropy approaches. This paper provides an overview of an extensive review of the available literature and seeks to clarify, for those that may be working in the field of development, what it means to practice community philanthropy. Author: Dana R.H. Doan Published by: GFCF Published: August 2019 Download: 'What Is...

Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace has recently published four studies on philanthropy – in India, Russia, the Arab region and Brazil. These studies have taken a broad view of philanthropy, encompassing everything from individual giving, to giving by private and corporate foundations, CSR, community philanthropy, social justice philanthropy, self-funded movements and impact investing. One area of further exploration, as detailed in this report, is individual giving by ordinary people. Seen as an area of great promise in India and Russia, it is at an earlier stage in Brazil. In the Arab region giving to the social sector is barely making headway, though traditional giving is very much alive. Author: Caroline Hartnell Published by: Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace Published: July 2019 Download: 'Individual...

Civil society organizations working on social change are under pressure worldwide. They are confronted with shrinking civic space to do their work, and face reduced access to foreign funding. Against this background, there is an increasingly louder call to strengthen southern ownership and to change power dynamics within development cooperation. This was reason for Wilde Ganzen and Vice Versa (the Dutch magazine on development cooperation) to publish a special issue on the topic of local resource mobilization as a strategy to shift power. This special edition of the magazine includes interviews with participants and partners of the Change the Game Academy, as well as organizations and experts working in the...

This paper looks at the idea of ‘leadership’ and forms part of Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace’s series on ‘defining key concepts’ in development and philanthropy. Although widely used, and viewed as an important ingredient in successful philanthropy and development, there is no common understanding of what people mean by the term ‘leadership’ or how its value is demonstrated in practice. This paper seeks to gain greater understanding of the concept within the field, and to make it concrete and practical for practitioners. The paper is a work in progress, a starting point for discussion, and additional contributions to develop the work further are invited. Authors: Barry Knight & Chandrika Sahai, edited by Caroline Hartnell Published...

This report summarizes key findings from an extensive scoping exercise undertaken by the GFCF, commissioned by Comic Relief, aimed at understanding the current landscape of strategies and approaches that put local people and local institutions in charge of their own development. The scoping excercise included a literature review, and key informant interviews. Authors: Jenny Hodgson, Barry Knight & Susan Wilkinson-Maposa Published by: GFCF Published: March 2019 Download: ‘New Horizons for Community-Led Development: Recommendations for Funders’ or in French 'Perspectives nouvelles en matière de prise en charge du développement par les collectivités locales: Recommandations aux bailleurs de fonds'

The GFCF Annual Report, covering the period 1 April 2017 - 31 March 2018, offers a snapshot of the organization’s activities for the financial year. The report is broken down by the GFCF’s three strategic priorities: supporting organizations that #ShiftThePower; connecting the field and growing the #ShiftThePower evidence base; and, building a global movement to #ShiftThePower. Published by: GFCF Published: January 2019 Download: ‘GFCF_AnnualReport_2017-18’