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Centre for Strategic Philanthropy

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  • Cambridge college arches.

    “Strategic philanthropy”

    Strategic philanthropy is a term used to describe any form of impact-driven giving that is evidence-based and uses creative planning, agile execution and diligent follow-through in order to achieve intended results. It encompasses a wide range of practices from traditional grant making through to newer models for generating impact such as venture philanthropy.

The Centre for Strategic Philanthropy (CSP) within the University of Cambridge Judge Business School is dedicated to enhancing the impact of strategic philanthropy both within and from global growth markets. Through a combination of rigorous research, executive education and the convening of diverse voices, the Centre aims to become the leading hub of actionable knowledge to catalyse greater philanthropic impact from the world’s fastest growing regions.

Circular graphic to illustrate the work of the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy.

Connect with us

CSP team.

Our team

The Centre for Strategic Philanthropy works closely with Cambridge Judge Business School and wider University faculty, research fellows, honorary fellows and our partner organisations to develop cutting-edge research, training programmes and practitioner workshops.

Meet the CSP team

Cambridge clock.

Events

The Centre for Strategic Philanthropy aims to engage diverse voices to discuss strategic philanthropy. Access summaries of the discussions and outcomes of our events portfolio.

Learn more about CSP events

News from the Centre

Singapore Marina bay area.

What happened at Talking Philanthropy, the world’s largest philanthropy forum?

We reflect on Global Philanthropic's recent Talking Philanthropy forum, co-hosted with the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at Cambridge Judge Business School and…

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Kamal Munir.

Alumni award

Dr Kamal Munir of Cambridge Judge named first winner of Mintzberg Distinguished Alumnus Award by McGill University. Dr Kamal Munir of Cambridge…

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Exterior of Cambridge Judge Business School in bright sunshine.

The Centre for Strategic Philanthropy: one year on

The Centre's launch could not have been timelier as it coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and subsequent renewed…

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Fingers reach out to touch a digital representation of the world, with a blurred city skyline in the background.

Future-proofing philanthropy by institutionalising best practice

By Clare Woodcraft, Executive Director for the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy The world of philanthropy is changing. The global pandemic has rendered…

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Read more news & insight from the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy

In the media

Daily Pakistan: Pakistan-born professor appointed Pro-VC of Cambridge University

Dr Kamal Munir of Cambridge Judge Business School has been appointed a Pro-Vice-Chancellor (University  Community and Engagement), for a first term of…

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Arabian Business: Gates Foundation boss on why philanthropy is on the rise in the Arab world

A report by the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy on the effect of the pandemic on philanthropy in the Global South. The report looked…

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City AM: We need to ‘Change the Race Ratio’

Dr Kamal Munir, Reader in Strategy & Policy at Cambridge Judge Business School, was on DiverCity podcast together with Lord Karan Bilimoria…

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Financial Times: Pakistan’s opposition circles floundering Khan

Kamal Munir, Reader in Strategy & Policy at Cambridge Judge Business School, comments on the political situation in Pakistan. Political dynasties unite…

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Our vision

Unleash the huge potential for strategic philanthropists from global growth markets to be leading sources of solutions to societal problems and accelerate positive sustainable change worldwide.

Our mission

To become the leading centre of actionable knowledge to catalyse greater philanthropic impact from the world’s fastest growing regions on global development and humanitarian outcomes.

Our theory of change

Change-makers from global growth markets are vital providers of solutions to societal and environmental problems, supporting in the delivery of global development and resilience. The CSP will help to inform, cultivate and catalyse strategic philanthropy in and from these markets, and strengthen the broader philanthropic ecosystem by inspiring collaboration between international and local impact-oriented initiatives and organisations.

Our research

COVID-19 is accelerating an already existing trend: the awakening of institutional philanthropy in the global south. Our report suggests this awakening is hampered by weak philanthropy infrastructure and networks, insufficient collaboration within and between sectors, and a lack of core funding to build the resilience of the non-profit ecosystem.

Digital globe with data points appearing as though floating in space.

Improving philanthropy

COVID-19 pandemic shows the need to address the North-South power imbalance in global philanthropy, says report by the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy…

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Badr Jafar.

“
Today, well over a trillion of dollars of private philanthropic capital, more than triple the annual global development and humanitarian aid budgets combined, is deployed every single year. The evidence is also overwhelming that the world’s emerging economies are becoming an increasingly powerful source of philanthropic capital and social innovation. With the impending generational transition taking place around the world, now is the time to start building the cross-border networks that will empower the next generation of strategic philanthropists emerging from these markets, to question our own assumptions, and to facilitate the development of imaginative new solutions to some of the world’s greatest social and environmental challenges ”
Mr Badr Jafar, Founding Patron of the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy

Why emerging economies?

Davos summary graphic.

The Centre for Strategic Philanthropy is being launched in the midst of a second wave of globalisation that is predicted to see the rapid rise of emerging economies and a progression of economic power southward and eastward.

The top 10 fastest growing economies in the world are all in emerging markets. It is estimated that trillions of dollars will be passed on from one generation to the next in these societies over the next 10 years. This historic period of new wealth creation and intergenerational wealth transfer is expected to lead to a significant increase in philanthropic activity both within and from these jurisdictions.

This presents a clear and immediate opportunity to strengthen awareness and understanding within global growth markets around the power of strategic philanthropy, to engage with the next generation of philanthropists from these markets and to support the development of innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

“
Our planet faces growing challenges. Climate change – threats to water and food supplies, threats to our ecology and biodiversity – growing political division, war and infectious disease. Global philanthropic capital must be used effectively and for maximum impact to improve our society, and the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy is very well-positioned to champion these efforts. ”
Professor Stephen Toope, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge
Stephen Toope.
  • Core areas of activity

    Core areas of activity

    1. Undertaking and facilitating rigorous research and disseminating the results internationally
    2. Educating and training the next wave of philanthropic leaders from global growth markets
    3. Convening diverse voices to advance the global understanding and practice of strategic philanthropy
Christoph Loch.

“
The Centre for Strategic Philanthropy is designed to engage with the next generation of philanthropists, equipping them with enhanced knowledge and relevant tools to become global leaders in solving societal and environmental problems in ways that reflect their own social, economic and cultural dynamics. ”
Professor Christoph H. Loch

Key audiences

The work of the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy is relevant to individuals and institutions on the supply side as well as the demand side of social change, including:

Academics, researchers & students

who are interested in:

  • researching best practices and principles of strategic philanthropy

  • understanding historical trends and the output of philanthropic investments

  • assessing the nature of interventions that bring about systemic sustainable change

  • identifying how to improve collaboration between multi-sector stakeholders.

Current and potential philanthropists and members of the next generation

who are poised to deploy significant philanthropic capital and become part of the next wave of global philanthropic leaders.

Change makers including government policy makers, business leaders, heads of philanthropic organisations, social entrepreneurs and the management of INGOs and LNGOs

who are committed to taking collective action to address the world’s most pressing problems.

PhD supervision.
“
It is with great enthusiasm that we are setting up the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at Cambridge Judge Business School. Philanthropy is an increasingly important phenomenon in the contemporary world, which sees massive transfers of private funds towards a variety of causes. Unfortunately, our understanding of who gives, to whom, for what, when, and to what effect, is still limited. This is particularly true for the Global South, where, despite an even more enhanced importance of philanthropy, knowledge of the motivations, frameworks, practices and impact of philanthropy remains limited. It is this gap that we are setting out to fill. We hope to become a major global platform for the production and dissemination of knowledge about strategic philanthropy. Come join us in this journey! ”
Dr Kamal Munir, Academic Director of the CSP
Kamal Munir.
Clare Woodcraft.

“
The launch of our Centre could not have been better timed as it coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent renewed interest in philanthropy as a means of bringing new innovation to entrenched socio-economic global challenges. COVID-19 triggered some deep thinking about the purpose, the efficacy, and the power dynamics of the philanthropic sector. The crisis both highlighted the huge potential of this 'risk' capital but also the need for some fundamental reform. As the world went into lockdown, the need for a rapid understanding of how to mobilise more philanthropic capital for more impact in ways that are equitable, inclusive, and sustainable was embodied in the very essence of why we felt a Centre like this – focused on emerging market philanthropy – needed to be established. We hope that our work can be a catalyst for a better understanding of the role and value of philanthropy in driving radical social and system change. ”
Clare Woodcraft, Executive Director of the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy