WINGS

WINGS is the only global network of philanthropy support and development organisations and funders, bringing together a community of more than 200 thought leaders and changemakers across 58 countries. Our mission is to ensure philanthropic actors around the world have the support, knowledge, networks, and enabling environment they need to foster transformative change.

By focusing on three core impact areas — collective intelligence, strengthening ecosystems, and advocacy and policy — we empower philanthropy to reach its fullest potential as a catalyst for social progress. We are committed to building a more just, equitable, and sustainable world through the strategic power of philanthropy. As a key player in the philanthropic sector, WINGS plays multiple roles, including creating enabling environments for philanthropy, advocating for the sector, convening actors, conducting and publishing research, and applying that research through collaborative action. We also engage in regranting funds and serve as a convener, advocate, and consultant for philanthropy support ecosystems.

How to Help

Our world and planet are in crisis. From climate change and inequality to unchecked Artificial Intelligence and pandemic risks, we face a global polycrisis that poses existential threats to humanity. Philanthropic organisations can lead, support and enable change but to rise to the challenge we need to transform ourselves, our practices, and our institutions. The Philanthropy Transformation Initiative (PTI) is a collaborative effort to bring together principles, resources and stories from across the globe and build a movement for transforming philanthropy so that it can achieve its full potential.

The #PhilanthropyForClimate movement includes several national philanthropy commitments on climate change and the International Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change. Together, we call on all foundations, regardless of their mission, status or geographic location to join us and signal their commitment to climate action.

Our research shows how Philanthropy Support Organisations contribute to long-term social change by examining their purposes, functions, and impact. WINGS has developed a methodology to #LiftUpPhilanthropy and build a robust Philanthropy Support Ecosystem to unlock the potential of philanthropy. It uses a suite of tools and approaches adaptable to different countries. Results will enable domestic foundations and donors, existing philanthropy support organisation leaders and other stakeholders to build the ecosystem they want.

Impact

A unique network of 220 philanthropy actors and ecosystem builders representing 100,000 philanthropic entities
Distributing 1,5 million USD in the next 3 years for advocacy and ecosystems building
800 foundations signed on to #PhilanthropyForClimate
Developed three WINGS hubs in Africa (2024), Asia (2024) and Latin America (2019) to collaborate more closely with our regional members
Co-chair of the first formal Philanthropy Working Group under Civil Society 20 (C20) in 2024, composed of over 400 participants

Activities & Programmes

– Improving the environment for philanthropy locally, and globally:

Built a global, inclusive, voice of philanthropy: in just four years WINGS has managed to mobilise its constituency, develop a shared advocacy strategy and get a seat at the table to represent the field at the UN (ECOSOC status), G20, OECD’s Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, Financial Action Task Force, EU Policy Forum on Development, Finance in Common, and Climate COPs.

– Influencing the philanthropy field towards transformation:

WINGS’ unique position gives us unparalleled opportunity to synthesize and make accessible the field’s wisdom, and to orchestrate collective efforts to accelerate change in philanthropy’s practices and norms.

– Building Local Ecosystems:

With its unique expertise and strategic vision on the field of support to philanthropy, since 2018 WINGS has been pioneering new thinking and concrete actions to turn service-based, neutral, segmented, and poorly resourced philanthropy infrastructure into resilient, collaborative, catalytic, values- and mission-driven, support ecosystems. Our work, which has a special focus on the majority world given needs and potential, is elevating such ecosystems as the center of our field’s growth and transformation and a critical piece of the locally-led development agenda.

Resources

Propel Summary

A standout achievement of WINGS is their Roadmap for Philanthropy Networks, a framework guiding regional and national philanthropy networks in building supportive environments for giving. This roadmap has been adopted by networks in over 50 countries, helping organizations align resources, improve transparency, and increase local impact. WINGS has been instrumental in developing The Global Philanthropy Data Charter, a tool that encourages data sharing across philanthropic organizations, allowing for more effective, evidence-based decision-making. This initiative has contributed to a new level of collaboration, helping funders assess gaps, coordinate resources, and scale impact in targeted regions. These are just a few examples of its leadership.

How to Help

Impact

Activities & Programmes

Resources

Propel Summary

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