2025 Symposium Recap

Standing Together for Our Common Humanity

At a time when global challenges are testing the resilience of our institutions and the strength of our values, the 2025 Innovations in International Philanthropy Symposium, co-hosted by NEID Global and The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), brought together over 200 leaders from philanthropy, civil society, and global development. Held in the Boston area under the theme Our Common Humanity, the two-day gathering offered a space for reflection, learning, and action — inviting participants to reimagine how philanthropy can meet this moment with courage, creativity, and collaboration.

Through powerful keynotes, interactive workshops, and intentional networking, the Symposium explored how funders can shift power, defend democracy, and invest in equity-driven systems change. Together, we asked: What does it mean to stand together in solidarity across borders, sectors, and lived experiences? And how can philanthropy unlock its full agency to help build a more just and resilient future?

Keynotes: Courageous Leadership for a Changing World

Reimagining Global Development Through Equity and Partnerships

Raj Kumar (Devex) and Ambassador Samantha Power (Harvard Kennedy School, formerly USAID) reminded us that the traditional aid paradigm has run its course. Philanthropy must move beyond donor-driven models and instead invest in partnerships rooted in justice, equity, and mutual accountability. Leadership in this new era is about co-creation and listening, ensuring that local expertise shapes and implements solutions. Donor-driven, top-down models have too often reinforced dependency rather than empowerment. The fragile context of this moment allows us the opportunity to leapfrog incremental change, to boldly reshape how - and for whom - aid works best.

Raj Kumar and Amb. Samantha Power

Defending Democracy in an Age of Authoritarianism

With over 70% of the world living under authoritarian regimes or confronting authoritarian movements, democracy is under unprecedented strain. In a conversation moderated by Annie Boyajian (Freedom House), Branko Brkic (Project Kontinuum), Leopoldo López (World Liberty Congress), and Félix Maradiaga (World Liberty Congress Academy) highlighted the courage of movements and institutions resisting repression. Through their call to philanthropy: sustain these actors, strengthen civil society, and build global alliances that can withstand authoritarian threats, their message was clear: democracy cannot defend itself alone. It requires sustained investment in civil society, courageous actors, independent institutions, and global alliances that cross borders and politics.

Left to right: Leopoldo López (on screen), Félix Maradiaga, Branko Brkic, and Annie Boyajian

Left to right: Brian Kagoro, Heba Aly, and Rakesh Rajani

Unlocking Philanthropy’s Transformative Agency

The closing keynote, featuring Heba Aly (Article 109), Brian Kagoro (Open Society Foundations), and Rakesh Rajani (JustSystems), challenged philanthropy to break free from predictability and myopic scope. In an era of systemic breakdown, safe, tidy, and project-based bets are not enough (and arguably never were) to drive meaningful progress. In an era of systemic instability, philanthropy must lean into uncomfortable truths, embrace unconventional actors, commit to funding movements and system change on long-term horizons, and invest in transformative change. By doing so, it can rise to the urgency of the current crisis, all while rebuilding trust and resilience in more sustainable and honest ways.

Across all three keynotes, we heard a common thread: philanthropy must rediscover its agency, not as a quiet supporter of incremental projects, but as a bold partner in reimagining global systems, shifting power, defending democracy, and centering equity. Meeting this moment demands courage, imagination, and a renewed commitment to our common humanity.

Workshops: Building Knowledge, Confidence, and Networks

Track 1: Defending Democracy and Civil Society

Sessions in this track explored the urgent need to protect democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media amid rising authoritarianism and declining public trust. In Protecting Civil Society Globally, speakers highlighted the legal and financial threats facing nonprofits—especially those receiving cross-border funding—and emphasized the importance of building resilient networks, supporting local infrastructure, and defending the right to peaceful protest. The session on Building Trust in Institutions showcased innovative philanthropic strategies to restore civic engagement and social cohesion, including participatory democracy models, local journalism, and AI-driven transparency tools. Speakers stressed that trust is deeply tied to safety, belonging, and economic opportunity, and called for a portfolio approach to rebuilding institutional credibility. In Rebuilding the Future of Media, panelists underscored the critical role of journalism in safeguarding democracy, advocating for flexible, multi-year funding, mental health support for journalists, and investment in visual and grassroots media. Across all sessions, participants urged funders to act boldly, collaborate across sectors, and center equity, care, and long-term impact in their strategies.

Track 2: Activating All Assets for Impact

This track explored how funders and investors can deploy capital more creatively and equitably to advance global development goals. In Blended Finance and Livelihoods, speakers emphasized the power of catalytic capital – such as program-related investments and concessionary loans – to unlock market-based solutions for underserved communities. They encouraged funders to break down silos between grantmaking and investing, and to embrace risk in pursuit of deep impact. The session on Values-Based Advising highlighted the growing demand for advisors who can help clients align their investments with personal and philanthropic values, underscoring the importance of trust, transparency, and shared purpose. In Investing in Climate Solutions, panelists called for bold reallocation of capital toward climate justice, stressing the need to support frontline communities, rethink risk, and move beyond extractive financial models. Across all sessions, participants urged funders to collaborate, simplify complex systems, and center equity and innovation in their capital strategies.

Track 3: Shaping the Future of Global Giving

Workshops in this track explored how donors and philanthropy support organizations (PSOs) can adapt to a rapidly evolving global landscape. In the session on Trends and the Role of Philanthropy Support Organizations, speakers emphasized the need for systems-level change, urging funders to invest in collaborative networks, community-led models, and domestic resource mobilization. The Innovation in the Global South workshop spotlighted the power of diaspora communities, trust-based philanthropy, and ecosystem redesign to support social entrepreneurs, with calls to streamline funding processes and embrace vulnerability and generosity. Finally, the session on Being an Effective International Donor challenged traditional power dynamics in philanthropy, advocating for unrestricted, demand-led funding and deeper partnerships with local stakeholders. Across all sessions, speakers called for bold reimagining of donor roles, emphasizing care, trust, and shared responsibility as essential to building resilient, equitable systems.

Track 4: Advancing Equity, Transforming Systems

Workshops in this track centered on how funders can more effectively support equity-driven work and marginalized communities. The session on Applying Power and Equity Practices emphasized the importance of trust, patience, and deep partnership, with speakers urging funders to invest in people, not just ideas, and to embrace multi-year, unrestricted funding models. In Mainstreaming Marginalized Causes, panelists highlighted the severe underfunding of LGBTQ+ and disability communities, calling for funders to move beyond stigma and embrace inclusive, joy-centered approaches. The session on Supporting Women and Girls as Leaders in Communities showcased the transformative impact of investing in local women-led organizations, with a focus on leadership development, community resilience, and culturally grounded strategies. Across all sessions, speakers called for funders to listen deeply, share power, and build collaborative ecosystems that center those closest to the issues.

From Dialogue to Partnership: Networking with Purpose

To spark collaboration and deepen learning, the Symposium integrated intentional networking time throughout the conference, including through themed table discussions on the first day. These facilitated spaces enabled funders and practitioners to connect around shared interests – from climate, global health, and education to democracy, refugees, and impact investing. Regional tables focused on Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and other geographies encouraged cross-border exchange, while “Share Your Story” tables invited personal reflection and storytelling. By creating space for candid dialogue, the Symposium empowered participants to share ideas, learn from one another, and explore opportunities for collective action.

A Call to Bold Action

The 2025 Symposium was more than a convening — it was a call to action. In the face of global instability, philanthropy must rise to meet the moment with courage, imagination, and solidarity. Whether defending democracy, investing in climate justice, or shifting power to communities closest to the issues, funders have the opportunity — and responsibility — to lead with purpose.

As we move forward, let us carry the spirit of the Symposium with us: standing together for our common humanity, and working collectively to build a more just, equitable, and resilient world.

The biennial Innovations in International Philanthropy Symposium is co-hosted by NEID Global and The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI).

Photography by Craig Keenan.