Introduction into the session: Alexandra Stef, APT-Inspire Change, Learning and Network Director
This workshop is about sharing a collective journey of exploration of the sector building roles of philanthropy infrastructure organizations through creating and testing in practice the 4C framework for reflection on infrastructure position and impact areas.
… and also how we are opening our understanding towards new roles to enable and stimulate our own transformation and the one of our partners and sectors. We called this the catalyst role - or in relationship to the 4C framework - the 5th C.
We would like to invite you as a thought partner and contributor on this journey.
Why 4C?
Useful & flexible framework to look at the sector & ecosystem building aspects of our work.
Why a catalyst lens?
Alexandra Stef, Inspire-Change
From 4C
As framed by Inspire-Change Please also consult WINGS materials for a full picture of 4C.
As framed by Inspire-Change Please also consult WINGS materials for a full picture of 4C.
From 4C to 5C
As framed by inspire-change.org
Opening exploration:
What is new in your country / region in the work of philanthropy infrastructure and ecosystem supporters? What shifts and changes?
What trends do you observe?
Perspectives:
Perspectives: Delphine Moralis, Philea, Europe – Chief Executive Officer
Philea | philanthropy infrastructure as a space for sectoral transformation
As a community of communities
- We share the same soil
- And we share the same threats
With a role of catalyst
- Philanthropy Coalition for Climate
- Children and youth
- Futures’ philanthropy
- Building organisational development
- PEX catalyst infrastructure
Philea | philanthropy infrastructure as a space for sectoral transformation
Perspectives: Carola Carazzone, Assifero, Italy – Secretary General
Perspectives: Alina Porumb, APT-Inspire Change, Romania - President
Emphasis of our work: building the new collectively
Culturally, we tend to focus on contributions of individuals, organizations, visible work, coming together around a hero figure - as one person or organization who can help unlock potential. But many of the solutions to current issues are collective, requiring of us to evolve together, to change relationships, to foster new capacities, to work in more distributed ways.
Organizations may be the institutional space through which resources flow (and sometimes aggregate or concentrate), but both challenges and opportunities come from the space in between organizations, at the intersections.
The 4C framework helped us to make this intersections space more visible and bring us more clarity on how we can act in this space for long term, sector building effects. By making this space visible, it can also make visible to the role of infrastructure organizations.
We called the work at this level to stimulate, amplify, invite the new, expand and distribute capacities and decision-making - the catalyst role of infrastructure organizations.
Alina Porumb, Inspire-Change
Romania: Intentional building of new infrastructure
In Romania, as multi-actor philanthropy support system, we took the role of building intentionally towards new local infrastructure for philanthropic and civic leadership, stimulating the start-up of a movement of community foundations (CFs). This now covers more than 50% of the country, has a self-led infrastructure organization for learning, acting and developing assets together and is doing each day the long term work of building a culture of trust and solidarity.
CFs invite each day new players into their processes, being many times the first time supporter of a new initiative - that will grow into a new organization or continue informally. They are the first stimulus or contact point for a new donor/leader to find/join in fundraising for a local cause. They act as space for distributed opportunities, scouting talent and assets, strengthening potential and shaping new initiatives, organizations and movements.
When looking at the collective effects of CFs and their supporters in Romania, we found the 4C framework very useful. We also felt the need to further conceptualize and define the effects around 5th C, with a particular focus in our case on the effects on starting new initiatives and organizations, multiplying capacities and broadening and diversifying the civic and philanthropic sector, both as effects of CFs locally and as effects of their supporters nationally.
Alina Porumb, Inspire-Change
A 5C frame to map the collective impact of community foundations and their support infrastructure in Romania�
Customizing 4C outcomes Adding the catalyst lens
effects of starting new initiatives and organizations
Testing the 5C framework with CFs and CFSOsh Adding a data layer on the 5C
PEX Catalyst Infrastructure Conversations in partnership with Philea: principles, practices, shared experiments.
Catalyst lens conversations with Inspire international CF(SO)s community.
Alina Porumb, Inspire-Change
International
PEX Catalyst Infrastructure Conversations in partnership with Philea, IAC Berlin & Assifero : helping define how we might start looking collectively at the catalyst roles on different levels: of principles, practices, shared experiments.
Catalyst infrastructure principles (within PEX Catalyst Infrastructure Group):
1. Broaden perspective to inter-organizational/inter-sectoral levels;
2. Break the silos;
3. Embrace complexity, non-linearity and risk;
4. Foster decentralized decisions and agility at all points of a support system;
5. Proactively foster the new and multiplicity of paths and actors;
6. Be reflective and aware of own influence, as an enabler and obstacle of transformation and cultivate adaptability & (un)learning.
Alina Porumb, Inspire-Change
Conversations within INSPIRE community of CFSOs and CFs from emerging spaces in Africa, Europe and Latin America:
Exploring within a community of practice the roles of community foundations as local infrastructure for transformation, with a big focus on their role to stimulate new actors to join the sectors (many times acting as a first supporter) and building trust and enabling cultures for the development of local civic and philanthropic sectors.
Reflecting on the CFSO roles at the start up of new movements and/or in response to context changes, with a combined focus on the 4C with the catalyst lens.
�WINGS Lift Up Philanthropy community of practice focusing on philanthropy infrastructure, mapping and communicating their role and effects.
Alina Porumb, Inspire-Change
Perspectives: Ingrid Srinath, Center for Social Impact and Philanthropy at Ashoka University, India – Former Director
4Cs: Framing our work at the CSIP, Ashoka University
Coherence: Context mapping/Gap analysis; Strategic Priorities
Communication: Making sense to all our stakeholders
Collaboration: Linking and integrating team roles
Learning & Evaluation: Goal setting; outcome tracking; impact measurement
Ingrid Srinath, CSIP, Ashoka University
Capacity
Building Resources
�
Capability
Building Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Credibility
Building Reputation, Recognition and Influence
Connection
Building Relations
Ingrid Srinath, CSIP, Ashoka University
Framing CSIP’s approach to addressing key sectoral gaps with research, norm building, convening, and capacity building programs
CAPACITY
CONNECTIONS
CAPABILITY
CREDIBILITY
Decision-making inhibited by the lack of quality data on resource allocation
Absence of accountability, transparency and governance norms
Limited peer-learning, inter-sectoral dialogue or sector vision and voice development
Lack of opportunities for leadership, institution building and governance
NEEDS
OUTCOMES
Programme timeline: 2016-2020
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Launched Mother Teresa Fellowship*
Partnered with Harvard Business School to launch SNMI
Research Roundtable
Strategic Non-profit Management- India (SNMI)*
India Development Review*
Giving Tuesday India
Advocacy, Rights and Civil Society
Estimating Philanthropic Flows-Vol. I
Ecosystem Network*
Legal, regulatory, grants-in-aid system
Regulatory Frameworks for India’s voluntary sector
Tax incentive study
Social Innovation Summit*
Impact of Covid-19 on NGOs
Resilience Strategies for Non-Profits*
Talent management study
Social Stock Exchange Technical Committee
Launch of Student Engagement*
State of the support ecosystem
* recurring programmes
Launch of Research Fellowship Programme*
Capacity
Capability
Credibility
Connections
Ingrid Srinath, CSIP, Ashoka University
Reviewing CSIP’s achievements over the first 5 years
Capacity
Capability
Credibility
Connections
Created neutral spaces for dialogue and collaboration
Strengthened reputation and recognition of sector by curating knowledge, co-creating norms and showcasing best practice/innovations
Enhanced the sectors skills and knowledge through leadership programs, fellowships and standards/norms
Increased the capacity of the sector by generating knowledge for effective and efficient resource allocation by stakeholders
Programmes
4 C’s
Outcomes
Reviewing Strategy : Significant need gaps in India’s nonprofit ecosystem
Mistrust between govt. and non-profits
Low adoption of accountability standards
Growing regulatory complexity
Limited visibility of grassroots non-profits
Funding skew towards certain sectors
Limited public understanding of non-profits
Low levels of giving for non-religious purposes
Limited learning support for philanthropists
Limited dialogue for strategic CSR
No standards for impact measurement and reporting
Limited learning support on impact measurement for non-profits
Lack of transparency by private philanthropy
Weak sector advocacy for non-profits and philanthropy
Limited media coverage of the non-profit sector
Limited focus on governance
Limited funding/learning support for org-building
Slow adoption of technology by non-profits
Limited focus on talent management
Programme Opportunities: 2021-24
Social impact of non-profit sector
* recurring programmes
Technology
Narrative
Norms
People & Org
Ashoka
Ecosystem
Repository of sector knowledge
Social Innovation Summit
Economic impact of non-profit sector
Ease of Doing Good
Giving India
Philanthropy Transparency
Indian Civil Society Association
Impact Reporting Norms
Social Confidence Index
Capacity
Capability
Credibility
Connections
Media Fellowship
Advanced technologies and giving
Data usage and policies of non-profits
Technology and NPO performance
Cap building on adoption of technologies
Media Monitor
Civil Society Perception Study
SNMI/RSN
CSR Cap building
Jumpstart Philanthropy
Pay it forward coaching
Board Governance
Talent Management Study
Ashoka Quest
Young Scholars Program
Student Engagement
Mother Teresa Fellowship
Journal of third sector research
Research Fellowship
Research on intermediaries' impact
ISTR Conference
Ecosystem Network
Ingrid Srinath, CSIP, Ashoka University
Source: Building Philanthropy Ecosystems, WINGS
Perspectives: Ben Ocra, Ghana Philanthropy Forum, Ghana – Director
The Case of Ghana:
Using the 4C framework to conceptualize organizational capacities for new community foundations in Ghana.
How does a support role contribute to systemic change in local communities?
Community Foundations are essential actors in the localization agenda because they are uniquely positioned to channel resources, engage communities, and leverage local knowledge and expertise. Their role in mobilizing, allocating, and managing resources aligns closely with the principles and objectives of localization in development and humanitarian work.
Ben Ocra, Ghana Philanthropy Forum
4Cs
In 2023 the learnings helped us in enhancing the Standard Operating Procedures SOP/ for CFs in southern Ghana including;�
From a practical point of view, we can say that, the effect of each of these factors can vary depending on the specific circumstances, goals, and challenges in a community. Furthermore, these factors are often interconnected and mutually reinforcing, and their relative importance can change over time.
The next slides demonstrates how 2 CFs in Ghana have used the 4Cs framework in serving as a catalyst in their local settings thereby attracting credible partners in undertaking needful community projects.
Ben Ocra, Ghana Philanthropy Forum
4Cs
In 2021/22, we (GPF) engaged with 7 communities (CFs) to consider the application of the 4Cs and identify attributes that could define the various Cs ( Capacity, Capability, Credibility and Connections).
In 2022 we - went on a follow up engagement with the 7 CFs again, this time to ascertain the relative strength of the 4Cs as it relates to practice and the CF’s long term sustainability.
After the exercise, CREDIBILITY emerged as the most impactful among the 4Cs. This attestation is contextual. In practice, the strength of these factors could depends on the specific context.
Furthermore, it is important to note that credibility can be fragile and can also be quickly eroded if the CF does not maintain ethical and transparent practices.
Ben Ocra, Ghana Philanthropy Forum
The Launch of a Community Foundation
CASE STUDY 1: OBOHEN CF-GHANA / Solves community’s water problem
6 months back 2000 + residents of this community drank from 2 ponds. Through the CF, they now have 2 mechanized boreholes.
CASE STUDY 2: VOLTA-MOSLEMS CF-GHANA/Demonstrates Capacity in governance and project mgt
Perspectives: Pamela Cruz, Comunalia (Alliance of Mexican Community Foundations),
Mexico – Special Projects
COMUNALIA
Comunalia is the Alliance of Community Foundations in Mexico, founded in 2011, it has 17 members in 16 states of the country.
We focus on three lines of action: strengthen our community foundations members, make visible the work of community foundations and amplify/grow new community foundations
As the 4 Cs is a flexible framework, we used it for strategic priorities linked to working groups = we start from within the organization
4Cs inception (2 levels)
Challenge
Our work on CREDIBILITY
Our CATALYTIC role = Active Communities Fund (FCA)
Reflection
Keep the conversation & collective inquiry going
Some regional/international spaces where the conversation is planned to continue:
WINGS: Lift Up Philanthropy Workgroup (global)
Philea: PEX Catalyst Infrastructure (Europe)
Inspire: Catalyst community foundations and their support organizations (Africa, Europe, Latin America)
Please let us know about conversation spaces where this could be relevant to continue with your engagement and support.
5C: A stimulative frame, many resources & tools�
4C for evaluating professional support to philanthropy (WINGS): https://search.issuelab.org/resource/using-the-4cs-evaluating-professional-support-to-philanthropy.html�
Catalyst roles of infrastructure and experimental 5C frame for community foundations ecosystems: www.inspire-change.org/catalyst-infrastructure
�Philea PEX Catalyst webpage: https://philea.eu/how-we-can-help/initiatives/pex/pex-projects/pex-catalyst-infrastructure/
�Building Philanthropy Ecosystems (WINGS): https://buildingthepse.wingsweb.org/
5C: Credibility, trust and new organizations�
Credibility and trust (Comunalia, Mexico): https://comunalia.org.mx/eng/portfolio_page/communities-trust-towards-civil-society-organizations-action-research/��Conditions for new community foundations & effects on credibility and trust (Trag Foundation, Serbia):
https://tragfondacija.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Community-foundations-in-Serbia.pdf
Philanthropy Transformation
Philanthropy Transformation Initiative Research (WINGS): https://transformphilanthropy.wingsweb.org/