photo courtesy;the 2025 Global Philanthropy Leaders Summit
Against the backdrop of rising global uncertainty, the 2025 Global Philanthropy Leaders Summit brought together over 200 philanthropic leaders and sector stakeholders in San Francisco from March 12 to 14.
Centered on the theme “Embracing Risk,” the summit served as a catalytic space for courageous conversations—urging philanthropy to rethink its role, take bold action, and lead with intention in an increasingly complex world.
A Shift Toward Bold, Adaptive Leadership
With an emphasis on adaptation and innovation, the summit challenged participants to move beyond conventional risk aversion. Instead of viewing risk as a barrier, leaders were encouraged to reframe it as a necessary component of long-term impact. Across the fireside chats, panels, and workshops, a clear message emerged: Real progress requires courage—the courage to fund untested ideas, listen differently, and accept failure as a form of learning.
The opening framing of the summit described the moment as one of “polycrisis,” characterized by interlinked global issues—climate, inequality, migration, and geopolitical tension—demanding new philanthropic responses that are not only nimble but rooted in trust and shared responsibility.
Unlocking Transformative Strategies
Throughout the three-day gathering, several sessions explored innovative approaches for mobilizing both financial and human capital. One standout session, “Women, Wealth, and the Future,” spotlighted the growing influence of women-led philanthropy and the need for deeper investment in gender-informed funding.
In “Philanthropy as a Market Accelerator,” the focus turned to the intersection of giving and scalable innovation in fields such as food systems, climate resilience, and land restoration. This session, along with “Blended Finance for Impact,” emphasized the role of philanthropy in de-risking and catalyzing capital from other sectors—especially in emerging markets.
Workshops like “Impact Investing vs. Impact-First Investing” gave attendees the opportunity to grapple with questions around intentionality, risk tolerance, and mission alignment. The take-home message was clear: philanthropy has more than one lever—it can give, invest, and convene to multiply impact.
Rebuilding Trust and Social Cohesion
Trust emerged as a cross-cutting concern. In a time when institutions face growing skepticism, participants reflected on philanthropy’s responsibility to earn and restore trust—not just by giving but by co-creating with communities. The session “The Future of Giving” pushed this further, connecting social cohesion and civic engagement as essential pillars of effective giving.
From lightning talks to deep-dive roundtables, conversations also addressed the quieter shifts shaping the future of philanthropy. One such shift was examined in a discussion on church property transitions, highlighting the often-overlooked role of faith-linked assets in community life and economic transformation.
Cross-Sector Collaboration and Global Leadership
Throughout the summit, participants acknowledged the need for philanthropy to serve as a bridge between regions, sectors, and ideas. The panel “Global Leadership for Global Philanthropy” highlighted the value of diverse voices in shaping international giving strategies and fostering cultural understanding.
Other discussions emphasized migration, remittances, and mobility—not just as challenges, but as opportunities to rethink how opportunity itself is distributed across borders. “Unleashing the Power of Mobility” challenged attendees to imagine systems where one’s birthplace does not determine one’s life trajectory.
Looking Toward 2050
The final sessions pushed toward the future, envisioning what philanthropic leadership might look like in 2050. “The Funder of 2050” and “Bold Bets & Big Impact” both encouraged sector leaders to take risks not as lone actors but in collaboration—across civil society, business, and government—to respond to the defining issues of our time.
Conclusion
In an age of cascading crises, the summit left no doubt: the future of philanthropy lies not in playing it safe, but in learning to embrace the unknown—with intention, with courage, and with community.
