2026 Global Philanthropy Leaders Summit ./PHOTO; Courtesy
Global philanthropic leaders will gather in San Francisco from March 18–20, 2026, for the Global Philanthropy Leaders Summit, an annual forum aimed at examining how the sector can redesign the way it operates in response to accelerating global change.
The application-based Summit is expected to host more than 250 senior executives and decision-makers from philanthropy and related sectors, representing over $480 billion in charitable assets.
Over three days, participants will engage in structured discussions, peer learning, and collaborative exercises to explore how philanthropy can better respond to global challenges.
What the Summit Is About
The Global Philanthropy Leaders Summit focuses on how philanthropy operates rather than on individual projects or grant announcements.
Its aim is to examine the core “operating systems” that shape philanthropic action, including decision-making processes, institutional values, governance structures, and partnership frameworks.
The 2026 Theme: Architecting the Future
The Summit’s theme, “Architecting the Future: Operating Systems for a New Era of Philanthropy,” signals a move beyond traditional programmatic thinking toward examining the internal structures and values that drive institutional effectiveness.
Organizers note that climate disruptions, technological transformations, and geopolitical instability are testing traditional philanthropic approaches.
By focusing on operating systems, the Summit aims to help leaders identify practical ways to enhance adaptability, equity, and long-term impact within their organizations.
Over three days, participants will explore ways to:
- Build adaptive, future-ready institutions
- Strengthen cross-sector and cross-border collaboration
- Rethink risk, governance, and decision-making
- Inspire systemic transformation across the philanthropic ecosystem
These sessions are intended to support leaders in designing organizations that are more resilient, equitable, and innovative, able to respond effectively to uncertainty and shifting global dynamics.
The 2026 Summit also marks the 25th anniversary of the Global Philanthropy Forum, highlighting a quarter-century of convening leaders to advance collaboration, equity, and systemic impact across the philanthropic field.
Lessons From the 2025 Leaders Summit
The 2026 gathering builds on insights from the 2025 Global Philanthropy Leaders Summit, held from March 12–14, 2025.
That Summit addressed the pressures confronting philanthropy in a rapidly changing world, emphasizing the need for adaptive approaches to climate, technology, and governance challenges.
In 2025, participants engaged in field-based learning, including visits to TomKat Ranch, showcasing regenerative agriculture practices, and a UN Charter Tour, exploring San Francisco’s historical role in shaping multilateral cooperation.
A key panel, “Three Tectonic Plates: Climate, Tech, and Governance-The Need for Adaptive Philanthropy in an Unstable World,” examined how these forces intersect to challenge conventional grantmaking and funder collaboration.
The discussions underscored the importance of flexible, systems-driven strategies and the need for philanthropy to act as a catalyst for long-term, cross-sector solutions rather than short-term interventions.
Why the 2026 Summit Matters
As the philanthropic sector faces mounting complexity and uncertainty, the 2026 Summit offers a space for reflection and strategic thinking.
Organizers say the goal is not to produce a single blueprint, but to foster dialogue that can help leaders reassess institutional structures and approaches, ensuring that philanthropy remains fit for purpose in the decades ahead.
By combining practical learning, strategic dialogue, and peer exchange, the Summit positions participants to rethink how institutions operate, collaborate, and drive systemic impact in a rapidly evolving world.
Who Can Attend the Summit
Attendance at the Summit is by application and limited to senior leaders with decision-making authority.
Typical participants include foundation presidents and CEOs, trustees, heads of philanthropic networks, leaders from multilateral institutions, and senior executives from civil society organizations.
A small number of private sector leaders working closely with philanthropy are also invited.
The Summit is designed as a working forum rather than a public conference, allowing participants to speak candidly about challenges in governance, risk management, collaboration, and institutional design.
For more information on howto apply, visit Global Philanthropy Forum
Organizers emphasize that it is a space for reflection and peer learning rather than showcasing funding initiatives.
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