In times of difficulty, such as climate-related emergencies, conflict, or health crises, philanthropy is often called upon to help alleviate suffering and re-build communities. And as macroeconomic headwinds intensify, the support of philanthropists will be in strong demand.
Yet, during times of recession, donors often become more cautious, paring back their charitable giving*. As such, a new Citi Global Perspectives & Solutions report, Philanthropy and the Global Economy v2.0: Reinventing Giving in Challenging Times, asks how philanthropy can unlock more funding for non-profits, even when giving is under pressure.
According to the report’s authors, one way to deliver greater impact could be to encourage more integration between philanthropy and investment. The two are often viewed as distinct, unrelated pursuits*. Yet this misconception “may be the result of a myth that impact investing does not deliver financial returns.”