skip to navigation skip to content
Search

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.

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

Our partners

As the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy has grown it’s allowed for collaborations with counterpart academic institutions in the developing world.

Learn more about our partners

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

Cambridge Centre for Strategic Philanthropy debuts case study on the Tony Elumelu Foundation

The University of Cambridge Centre for Strategic Philanthropy (CSP) is delighted to launch an in-depth, teachable case study on the Tony Elumelu…

More…

The interplay between impact investing and philanthropy

Impact investment is a key complementary funding source in emerging markets like Nigeria, concludes a report by the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy…

More…

Empowering young girls at every level: the story of GirlLead SA

“Creating a network of young women who become leaders and transform their communities as well as the country.” These are the words…

More…

How philanthropy in the Gulf is focusing on long-term impact

Philanthropy in the Gulf Cooperation Council area is estimated at $210 billion annually and is growing in a more strategic way, says…

More…

Read more news & insight from the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy

In the media

Forbes Middle East: What role does philanthropy play for businesses in the GCC?

A report entitled “Giving in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): evolving towards strategic philanthropy", published by the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at…

Read more

Eye of Riyadh: Generation charts new path towards strategic philanthropy

Professor Mauro Guillén, Dean of Cambridge Judge Business School, and Badr Jafar, Founding Patron of the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at Cambridge…

Read more

CNN: Quest means business

Badr Jafar, Founding Patron for the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at Cambridge Judge Business School, speaks to Quest Means Business on CNN…

Read more

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…

Read more

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

Unlocking philanthropic capital in developing regions

A new report by the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at the Cambridge Judge Business School brings together findings from more than 40 philanthropists and philanthropic organisations from global growth markets.

Read more

Choices for donors: more or less?

Our study on choice in philanthropy and charitable giving. Our investigation is centred on individual donors who are presented with several options when they express an interest in philanthropic giving.

Read more

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.

Read more
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.
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!
Professor Kamal Munir, Founding Academic Director of the CSP
Dr Kamal Munir.