US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid?

1. US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid? Tokyo ABCDE Conference May 30th 2006 Joseph ZIMET French Agency for Development

2. US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid? • US philanthropy is emerging as a new global force • Can US foundations play a significant role in ODA?

3. US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid? • A significant increase of international contributions from US foundations since 1998 • International giving of US foundations doubled between 1998 and 2002 to reach 3 billions dollars • 850 millions of “untied” aid channeled by non-american organizations • Health (31%), Education (8%) and the protection of the environment (8%) are the main areas of international funding • LDCs are not the primary recipients of foundations financial flows (17,5% to Sub-Saharan Africa) • A preference for emerging countries or recipients based in northern countries

4. US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid? • A recent emphasis on global issues and the promotion of a “progressive” agenda for the regulation of globalization • Foundations have designed new programs to address global issues and engage globalization’s debates • US foundations are promoting a “reformist” agenda for globalization

5. US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid? • The perspective of a new “golden age” of philanthropy in the 21st century: a promising evolution for the international giving of US foundations? • 6.000 billions of US dollars might nurture the infrastructure of US philanthropy in the next 40 years (Paul Scherwish & John Havens, 1999, Boston Social Welfare Research Institute)

6. US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid? • From southern states to Global south: is US philanthropy going global? • A shift from Domestic Public Goods to Global Public Goods? • The emergence of southern philanthropy: an autonomous movement or a consequence of the investments made by US foundations? • The emergence of robust philanthropic sectors in developing countries • The diffusion of philanthropy abroad as a catalyst for development

7. US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid? • The internal challenges of US philanthropy in the 21st century: • A greater social demand from public opinion and policy makers • An internal debate on philanthropy’s social performances • The “quest” for an improved legitimacy in the future

8. US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid? • External challenges: the need for an enhanced cooperation between foundations and bilateral & multilateral donors • US foundations have a century of experiences in the field of international development • Existing promising multi-stakeholders partnerships that should be encouraged • The lack of coordination between foundations and donors

9. US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid? • Can foundations really act within the framework of the “MDGs”? • Foundations and MDGs : from initial enthusiasm to skepticism • The culture of independence and innovation of foundations : an obstacle to work within the framework of the MDGs? • What do we really mean when we talk about foundation’s “contribution” to MDGS?

10. US Philanthropy in the 21st century: a driving force for Aid? • US philanthropy is emerging as a global force for social change and can play in the future a significant role in the landscape of Aid • US philanthropy also faces serious challenges that it should address : the need of a renewed legitimacy and measured social performances which ultimately reminds the debates on ODA in northern countries • Future trends : • In the US: a creative tension between domestic needs (Domestic Public Goods) and growing international commitments (GPGs) • At the global level: a diversification of philanthropic models in the southern hemisphere • The need to improve the dialogue between foundations and donors: more talks, more grassroots cooperation, more data, more staff exchanges