AIDN was recently delighted to co-host our fifth Global Development Leadership Dialogue: What Works: NGO–Philanthropic Partnerships with ACFID.
Held on the eve of the ACFID Conference, and sponsored by NGO Recruitment, the session asked: What does it take to build effective, enduring partnerships between NGOs and philanthropy?
This session explored the strategies, structures, and mindsets that underpin successful collaboration between Philanthropy and NGOs, and featured four fantastic case-studies including:
- Nina Lorenzini: Principal, Urgent Challenges, Program Delivery and Humanitarian Response, Minderoo Foundation;
- Melissa Conley-Tyler: Executive Director of Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue (A4PD);
- Michaela Sargent: Project Development and Partnerships, Global EverGreening Alliance; and
- Charles North: Deputy CEO, Global Partnership for Education.
Through real-world examples and strategic insights, participants examined what works – and what doesn’t – when it comes to building trusted partnerships. There were a number of key takeaways from the session, including:
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How Philanthropy’s agility and appetite for risk sets it apart from government funding – prompting the question of what government might learn from philanthropic approaches?
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Limited familiarity with philanthropy among many attendees highlighted a need for clearer entry points, collaboration and guidance on how to engage with the sector and leverage tools such as ACFID’s NGO data mapping and AI tools.
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Power dynamics and trust were recurring themes, with calls for more co-ownership of projects and a shift toward trust-based philanthropy.
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Efficiency and due diligence remain key challenges for NGOs with limited capacity and resources.
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Networking and transparency within philanthropy were also noted — even a “no” from one funder can open doors elsewhere as philanthropists often share learnings and referrals.
The session was co-facilitated by Emily Moreton (ACFID), Hannah McNicol (AIDN) and Upenyu Mawande (AIDN and Judith Neilson Foundation). Participants also heard from Richard Green (NGO Recruitment) and Matthew Maury (ACFID).
Charles North: Global Partnership for Education.
Upenyu Mawande: AIDN and Judith Neilson Foundation
Nina Lorenzini: Minderoo Foundation