Corporate Giving Programs

What if philanthropy funded African entrepreneurs, not just NGOs? For decades, philanthropic capital in Africa has flowed primarily through nonprofit channels. But what if we expanded the lens? What if we recognized that entrepreneurship is impact and that investing in businesses can be just as transformative as funding charities? Because here’s what the data shows: 📊 Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up over 80% of employment in Africa, yet they receive less than 10% of philanthropic or donor capital. (Source: IFC, African Development Bank) Now consider this: A bakery that hires 12 women is solving poverty. A solar startup reducing blackouts is improving health outcomes. A logistics company like Cloudy Deliveries is restoring dignity, mobility, and economic agency in townships. These aren't side stories. They’re frontline solutions. And in many cases, they’re achieving what NGOs alone cannot - sustainability, scale, and systems change. To be clear: NGOs remain essential. But we must stop seeing them as the only vessels for doing good. Because impact isn’t defined by tax status. It’s defined by outcomes. And if the outcome is more jobs, local ownership, dignity, and upward mobility - shouldn't that be worth funding? Yes, there are regulatory and risk constraints. But more philanthropic leaders are experimenting with: Recoverable grants Hybrid finance models Catalytic capital Equity investments in social ventures Imagine if philanthropy didn’t just react to problems, but invested in African builders. Not just donors funding projects but partners backing enterprises designed in and for the communities they serve. This is the shift from charity to co-creation. From aid to agency. From dependency to shared ownership of the future. So ask yourself: What African entrepreneur do you know who’s creating real, measurable social impact? Tag them. Celebrate them. And if you're a funder or advisor, consider this: What’s stopping you from backing one today?

💻 A terrific database on projects financing nature! A great resource to explore projects around the world that are mobilizing finance for nature restoration and conservation. Revenues for Nature (R4N) is led by the Green Finance Institute Hive, in partnership with UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) and United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) with the contribution of the Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC). R4N aims to contribute to the implementation of Target 19 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) by mobilising private sector finance at scale for nature restoration and conservation. The searchable database is complemented with case studies and detailed guidebooks capturing how to establish and replicate models and markets, along with lessons learned. Models shared with the R4N project are selected according to a set of criteria that include high-integrity environmental outcomes and the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). Explore projects and share your favourite ones below: https://lnkd.in/ewvdgK4f #nature #cop16 #biodiversity #naturefinance #sustainablefinance #ecosystems #gbf #conservation #restoration

Countries are off track on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with around half of the 140 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for which sufficient data is available deviating from the required path. On a “business-as-usual” pathway, where social, economic and technological trends do not shift markedly from historical patterns, the SDGs as a whole would remain out of reach even in 2050. The latest 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 (https://lnkd.in/eykeRr8Z) reveals a critical funding gap of USD $4 trillion annually (pre-COVID $2.5 trillion, see figure 👇 ), primarily affecting developing nations. As we stand at a pivotal moment, it's clear that traditional funding methods are insufficient to meet these escalating needs, especially in the face of global challenges like climate change, inequality, and economic instability. As high as financing gap estimates are, they pale in comparison to the costs of inaction. The cumulative additional economic and social costs incurred from climate change under a business-as-usual scenario through 2050 are estimated to be almost five times larger than the climate finance needed to limit temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Every dollar invested in risk reduction and prevention can save up to 15 dollars in post-disaster recovery efforts. 🔑 Key Insights: 🔹 Developing countries face steeper financing costs, severely hampering their sustainable development goals (SDGs). 🔹 Part of the gap is still the huge amount of (implicit) subsidies going to fossil fuels (7% of GDP 👇...this is already more than the $4 trillion that is needed) 🔹 The Role of Private Finance: Private finance emerges as a pivotal player. However, to truly make an impact, it must align more closely with sustainable development goals. It is clear that the largest part of sustainable finance is nothing else than risk mitigation (see figure 👇) 🔹 How to get better finance: ◼ Innovative Financing: Leveraging tools like green bonds and social impact investing to direct funds where they are most needed. ◼ Reforming Financial Systems: Enhancing the capacity of financial institutions to support sustainable projects through improved regulatory frameworks. ◼ Encouraging Public-Private Partnerships: These can mobilize significant resources, combining the agility of private sector innovation with the authoritative backing of public entities. As the 2025 International Conference on Financing for Development in Spain approaches, there's a collective urgency to reform our global financial systems. This is crucial not only for bridging the finance gap but also for ensuring that investments are both impactful and aligned with the global sustainable agenda.

What works—and what doesn’t—in efforts to address land degradation in Africa? A recent study in Sustainability Science identifies key success factors and lessons learned. Efforts to reverse land degradation and improve human well-being in Africa succeed when they manage to balance competing demands and engage local stakeholders effectively. The most successful projects share key characteristics: 💵 Economic incentives matter: Tangible benefits, such as increased income or resource security, keep communities motivated and invested in long-term success. 🤝 Engaging communities is essential: Inclusive governance structures that empower local populations, including women and marginalized groups, build legitimacy and trust. 🫴 External support is crucial: Financial aid, technical expertise, and material resources reduce the risks associated with adopting new practices, particularly in low-income settings. 🌍 Governance must be adaptive: Community-based management (CBM), backed by external guidance, often delivers better outcomes than top-down interventions, which can alienate local stakeholders. 🌈 Short-term gains and long-term goals must align: Addressing immediate needs, such as food security, while building toward broader ecological and social improvements ensures sustained engagement. 💪 Commitment and flexibility are key: Projects must maintain long-term support and adapt strategies as circumstances evolve, ensuring that initial successes are not squandered. However, the path to sustainability is littered with missteps. Projects stumble when: ⚠️ Incentives are unclear: Without tangible benefits, enthusiasm wanes, and participation falters. ⚠️ Communities are excluded: Top-down approaches, conceived in distant capitals, often fail to resonate with those most affected. ⚠️ Resources are insufficient: Inadequate funding or technical support shifts the burden to impoverished communities, stalling progress. ⚠️ Local dynamics are overlooked: Ignoring traditional governance systems or social structures undermines legitimacy and fuels resistance. ⚠️ Short-termism takes hold: Premature withdrawal of funding or oversight leaves projects vulnerable to collapse. ⚠️ Risk aversion prevails: In poverty-stricken contexts, populations are understandably hesitant to adopt new practices without guaranteed benefits. ⚠️ Political instability disrupts progress: Conflicts, as seen in Tigray and Burkina Faso, can undo decades of work in a matter of months. ⚠️ One-size-fits-all solutions fail: Projects that ignore the complexities of local contexts rarely achieve lasting success. The lessons are clear: sustainable development requires patience, pragmatism, and a commitment to long-term adaptation. Striking the right balance between immediate needs and future benefits is the only way to achieve resilience in Africa’s varied and challenging landscapes. Ruth Kamnitzer reports for Mongabay News: https://mongabay.cc/STkZpj

Leading the way in Water Management 💧 As the pressures of climate change, population growth, and biodiversity loss mount, innovative approaches to water management are critical. Across the UK, good to see leading water companies embracing Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to address these challenges sustainably, combining traditional engineering with the power of nature. Here’s how Anglian Water, South West Water, and United Utilities are transforming the landscape with NBS initiatives: 1. Anglian Water: Pioneering natural resilience: ~ Holistic catchment management: programmes like their Pioneering Catchment Schemes work with farmers to prevent pollution at its source, ensuring better water quality before it even reaches treatment plants ~ Natural Flood Management: By restoring floodplains, Anglian helps protect communities while improving habitats for wildlife ~ Blue-green infrastructure projects: In urban areas, Anglian promotes solutions such as sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to manage rainfall and reduce urban flooding 2. South West Water: Upstream Thinking: ~ Partnerships w/ landowners: Collaborating w/ farmers, SWW reduces agricultural runoff, improving water quality and reducing treatment costs ~ Wetland Restoration: Projects in areas like Exmoor and Dartmoor restore natural landscapes, enhancing biodiversity and improving water retention to mitigate drought risks ~ Flood risk management: By slowing water flow and restoring natural channels, South West Water addresses flooding while creating habitats for wildlife 3. United Utilities: Unlocking nature's potential: ~ National leadership: Their £8.9 million national programme, in collaboration with The Rivers Trust and others, explores solutions such as peatland restoration and constructed wetlands to enhance water quality and resilience ~ Integrated planning in PR24: United Utilities’ forward-thinking PR24 strategy emphasises embedding NBS across operations, from raw water protection to wastewater management These initiatives highlight a shift toward solutions that work in harmony with nature, providing long-term benefits for communities, ecosystems, and water management systems. Why it matters?: NBS are more than just good environmental practice—they’re cost-effective, sustainable, and community-friendly. By reducing reliance on energy-intensive treatments and hard infrastructure, NBS help tackle some of the UK’s most pressing water management challenges, from flooding to water quality and biodiversity loss. Nature as Critical Business infrastructure. 💡 A Call to Action These pioneering projects show the transformative potential of NBS. For water companies, governments, and communities alike, the opportunity lies in scaling up these initiatives and embedding them into everyday practices. Let’s celebrate and amplify these efforts, driving innovation and sustainability in water management for future generations. 💧🌱 #NBS #NFM #UKWater

I've helped companies check suppliers robustly and where child labour was found, to remediate it for kids many times in my 20+ years supply chain human rights / responsible sourcing career. Somehow today though hearing about even more systemic cases made me a bit teary. It's another case of their home country (Burma) being under attack (people sell the regime weapons), so parents have little money, are migrants to Thailand, and free schooling (a super basic human right) is often not provided. This isn't a criticism of Thailand; I'm more annoyed with the root causes of all those (us?) making money (pensions?) selling "aerospace product" weapons and parts (the UK exports many "defence sector" "products") which empower some in Burma to cause others to need to leave their homes.... in 2024. For now though, better to see and understand than "see no evil, hear no evil" (which could lead to future risks), and I'm back to creating tailored guidance for my client on what can be done in this case inline with supply chains human rights due diligence legislation #LkSG #CSDDD expectations. Breathing beyond my sadness by knowing that these efforts can both help the client protect their brand; but most importantly, that the engagement we guide the client to increase (with local NGOs, etc) can help people (parents) on the ground get verified fairer incomes, and ultimately, some of these kids get the chance we all had for decent schooling before work. Keep up the "eyes open" everyone in Responsible Sourcing (dig deep as is expected by new supply chains due diligence legislation), and then where these issues are found, take the opportunity to use your buyer leverage to cause Change. In doing so we can help deliver the #livingincomes needed to end #modernslavery #childlabour and exploitation, ensure respect for #humanrights, and realise positive #socialimpact #SDGs including #SDG8 #decentwork #SDG1 No Poverty, to realise #SDG4 "Quality Education..for all". And if you want to ensure your pension etc isn't invested in weapons, for USA, click here: https://lnkd.in/eBwmHSzM and here's some in the UK: https://lnkd.in/e2QiuKSv and another with discussion: https://lnkd.in/eQzQM9Jp

Inspiring Change to Fight Human Trafficking Human trafficking is a dark stain on our society, a crime that preys on the vulnerable and exploits their most basic rights. Yet, in the face of this daunting challenge, there are individuals and organizations around the world working tirelessly to inspire change, shining a light on the path to a world free from human trafficking. What are they doing? Raising Awareness: One of the most powerful tools in the battle against human trafficking is awareness. People like you and me, becoming informed and sharing information, are the first steps towards change. Awareness campaigns, documentaries, and grassroots initiatives have ignited a spark that fuels the fight against trafficking. Advocacy and Policy Change: Change often begins at the legislative level. Advocates and organizations have successfully pushed for stronger anti-trafficking laws, tougher penalties for perpetrators, and better support systems for survivors. Your voice can be instrumental in driving these changes further. Support for Survivors: Survivors of human trafficking often face a long and difficult road to recovery. Many organizations provide vital support services, including counseling, safe housing, and job training. Your contributions to these organizations can make a significant difference. Education and Prevention: Preventing human trafficking is as crucial as combatting it. Educating vulnerable communities and empowering them with knowledge can act as a deterrent. Support initiatives that work to prevent trafficking before it happens. Technological Solutions: In our digital age, technology can be harnessed for good. Apps and websites have been developed to help identify and report suspicious activities. Personal Vigilance: Never underestimate the power of individual actions. You can make a difference by being vigilant in your own community. If you see something that looks suspicious, report it. Your vigilance could save lives. Inspiring Stories: Sometimes, it's the survivors themselves who inspire the most change. Their stories of resilience and courage serve as powerful testimonials. By amplifying their voices, you can inspire hope and resilience. Volunteer and Donate: Many organizations are doing remarkable work to combat human trafficking. They need your support, whether it's through volunteering, skills, or making financial contributions. Never Give Up: The battle against human trafficking can be disheartening and overwhelming, but we must persevere. Change takes time, but it is possible. By staying committed, spreading awareness, and supporting the countless individuals and organizations working to end trafficking, we can create a brighter, trafficking-free future. Let us unite our efforts, work together, and never stop fighting for a world where every individual can live a life free from the chains of exploitation and fear. #linkedinforcreators LinkedIn for Creators #humantrafficking #modernslavery #india    

We often talk about “miracles” in policy change, but real progress is built over time, not won overnight. In Minnesota, decades of engaging people whose voices are often excluded from democratic processes laid the groundwork for what became the “Minnesota Miracle 2.0.” As I share in my latest op-ed, published in Inside Philanthropy, this wasn’t a product of luck, but rather years of investing in community-based leadership, durable coalitions, and the necessary infrastructure to weather setbacks. The lesson for philanthropy? If we care about lasting impact, we must commit to the long view by:   ✅ Supporting organizations that are rooted in the community, with deep relationships and credibility.   ✅ Investing in infrastructure that helps these organizations collaborate.   ✅ Providing flexible, multi-year support.   ✅ Bridging the national and the local.   ✅ Attending both inside and outside strategies.   ✅ Considering joining funding collaboratives.  This is how we can invest in generational power-building. I invite you to read my full reflections and join the conversation on building stronger states together for the long haul. https://lnkd.in/gniWvAYg

For thousands of children, summer means fewer meals, not more memories. As we scroll past colourful markets and summer travels, it’s worth remembering that many families are entering the toughest weeks of the year. With the upcoming 2025 summer holidays, many families are preparing for travel and time off but for others it’s a period of quiet pressure. While some children are counting down to beach days, clubs and adventures, others are bracing for six long weeks with fewer meals, little structure, and limited opportunities to just be kids. 📊 In areas like Stoke-on-Trent, nearly 1 in 2 children still live in poverty. 🍽️ Around a quarter of primary school pupils are eligible for free school meals - support that disappears when schools close. 💰 And with summer childcare now costing over £1,000 per child, many working families are stretched beyond their limits. Having grown up in a low-income household, I know what summer can feel like not always a break, but an extra pinch on already tight budgets. What changed my story was access to an apprenticeship. It allowed me to earn while learning, and opened the door to travel, new experiences, and professional growth things I once saw as out of reach. #Apprenticeships didn’t just give me a qualification they gave me #CulturalCapital. They showed me a world bigger than my postcode. 🌍 What can we do this summer to tackle food inequality and support social mobility? ⭐️Support local Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes providing free meals and enriching activities for children. ⭐️Donate or volunteer with food banks and community groups distributing summer food packs. ⭐️Share information about free school meal vouchers and holiday food support with families and networks. ⭐️Advocate for employers and schools to offer summer enrichment, mentoring, or apprenticeships that provide income and skills development. If you’ve had the privilege to travel, grow, or pursue opportunity think about how we can pass that forward. 💭 #Summer2025 #HolidayHunger #FoodInequality #SocialMobility #CulturalCapital #Apprenticeships #ChildPoverty #InclusiveOpportunity #StokeOnTrent #CommunityAction

The Hidden Truth Behind Our Food System 🌾 Did you know that smallholder farmers produce over 50% of the world’s food, yet many of them struggle to feed their own families? 🤔 Rural communities, the backbone of global food production, face a cruel paradox: • They grow the food that sustains cities, yet hunger and poverty remain a daily reality in their lives. • Climate change, lack of access to resources, and systemic inequalities worsen their vulnerabilities. Here’s the hard truth: 1 billion people living in rural areas rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, but many are among the world’s most food insecure. 💔 So, how do we fix this broken system? ✔️ Invest in rural development: Equip farmers with tools, technology, and access to markets. ✔️ Fair pricing and sustainable practices: Ensure farmers are fairly compensated for their work. ✔️ Climate-resilient solutions: Support policies that mitigate the impact of climate change on farming. The hands that grow our food should never go hungry. Let’s work toward a system that ensures food security for all—starting with those who grow it. 🌱 💬 What can we do as individuals and organizations to make a difference? Share your thoughts and ideas below! 👇 #FoodSecurity #Sustainability #SoilHealth #RuralDevelopment #ZeroHunger #Agriculture