Arquivo da tag: paula fabiani

Paula Fabiani named to the TIME100 Philanthropy 2026 list of the 100 most influential leaders in philanthropy

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TIME has named Paula Fabiani, CEO of IDIS – Institute for the Development of Social Investment, to the second-annual TIME100 Philanthropy list recognizing singular figures who are shaping the future of giving. Paula is the first Brazilian person to be included on the list.

The recognition highlights her work in strengthening strategic philanthropy and the culture of giving in Brazil, as well as her contribution to connecting the country with international discussions on social investment and sustainable development.

According to Paula Fabiani, her inclusion in the TIME100 Philanthropy list reflects the collective progress of the field in Brazil. “I hope this recognition brings greater visibility to Brazilian philanthropy. In recent years, we have seen the field develop consistently, with stronger collaboration, greater professionalization, and a growing focus on sustainability through endowments. Brazil has a vibrant, creative civil society with a strong capacity for innovation, and it can play an increasingly leading role in global discussions on social impact and sustainable development.”

Economist graduated from the University of São Paulo, with an MBA from the Stern School of Business – New York University and a PhD in Business Administration from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV-SP), Fabiani has built her professional trajectory by connecting academic knowledge, institutional engagement, and public advocacy in support of social impact. Author of two books on Endowments and a book on Early Childhood, Fabiani is also certified in the SROI (Social Return on Investment) impact assessment methodology by Social Value UK.

Paula Fabiani during the Brazilian Philanthropy Foum 2025

At the helm of IDIS, she has directly contributed with technical support to hundreds of companies, families, foundations, and institutes, and led initiatives that became national benchmarks, such as the Brazil Giving Research, the Brazilian Philanthropy Forum, and The Brazilian Endowment Coalition. Her work was instrumental in the approval of Law No. 13,800/2019, which regulates endowments in Brazil. This represents a structural milestone for strengthening philanthropy in the country and ever since the field has undergone significant expansion: more than 60 endowments have been created since 2019, and Brazil now has 128 mapped active endowments. In addition, she is one of the founders of Commitment 1%, an initiative by IDIS and MOL Institute that encourages companies of all sizes and sectors to donate at least 1% of their annual net profit to socio-environmental causes.

In 2024, when IDIS received a significant donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, it became possible to put into practice a long-standing ambition: the creation of an endowment dedicated to strengthening strategic philanthropy and the culture of giving. Paula Fabiani has been leading fundraising efforts for the Promoting Philanthropy Endowment, the first of its kind in Brazil, engaging local investors. Today, the fund’s assets exceed BRL 10 million and continue to grow.

Recognition by TIME magazine places Brazil on the global map of strategic philanthropy and highlights the maturity of an ecosystem that Fabiani helped build. In addition to leading IDIS, she also participates in national and international networks and advisory boards, including the UNICEF Advisory Council and the Steering Committee of the Global Philanthropy Forum, and she is co-founder of the Brazilian chapter of Catalyst Now.

IDIS team celebrating the achievement

Paula Fabiani visits Instituto Comunitário Paraty and their supported local initiatives

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Community foundations and institutes, due to their nature of varied causes and focus on the needs and potential of the territory, generate a significant positive impact on the communities where they operate. The CEO of IDIS, Paula Fabiani, had the opportunity to experience this model during her visit to Paraty, where she gained a deeper understanding of the Instituto Comunitário Paraty (ICP).

ICP plays a crucial role in promoting community and territorial development by collaborating within a network, engaging with local social actors, and supporting initiatives in the city’s socio-educational and socio-environmental ecosystem. This model has been gaining increasing strength in Brazil.

During her immersion in the territory, Paula was accompanied by ICP leaders Andreia Estrella and Ricardo Zuppi and was in contact with projects from social organizations that are part of the ICP network.

“Having this exchange with Paula was an experience that brought us a series of positive feelings and insights. We explained how the process of creating the Institute happened, how we initially started gathering as an unofficial network to try to solve problems together. And the support from IDIS was fundamental for us to become an actual institution,” says Ricardo Zuppi.

The meeting was about sharing experiences and learning with each other

One of the stops during the visit was the Instituto Náutico Paraty, an educational and sports project that has been promoting social transformation in the city for 25 years by teaching sailing to children and young people in situations of social vulnerability. The initiative was founded and is led by Gibrail Rameck Junior. Another initiative visited was Rede Alegrias, which includes a project related to the Banco Comunitário (in english, Community Bank). This initiative, led by Instituto Social Rural Jardim do Beija Flor and coordinated by Mônica Calderón, strengthens the local solidarity economy, promotes financial inclusion, and encourages the circulation of the community currency “Alegrias”, driving sustainable development and community well-being.

ICP is supported by IDIS – Institute for the Development of Social Investment through the Transforming Territories program. This initiative by IDIS, with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, fosters the creation and strengthening of Community Institutes and Foundations in Brazil by engaging donors and civil society, sharing knowledge, and providing technical support.

“Getting to know the work of Instituto Comunitário Paraty was an inspiring experience. It reaffirms the concept that community institutes and foundations are essential for local development, as they work directly on the needs of the territory. It is rewarding to see firsthand the impact of the Transforming Territories program and support this journey,” says Paula Fabiani.

Paula Fabiani, CEO of IDIS, is now PhD on strategic corporate philanthropy. Check out the full thesis!

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Nowadays, it is increasingly relevant for companies to take measures that take into consideration social and environmental consequences of their actions. According to the ‘Corporate giving by the FTSE 100’ report made by CAF (Charities Aid Foundation), 69% of the public believe businesses have an obligation to support their local communities.

With that in mind, Paula Fabiani, CEO of IDIS, is now a PhD, having completed a thesis in which she researched about the Corporate Donation Chain approach and the potential it has to enhance strategic corporate philanthropy.  She completed her Ph.D. in Operations Management and Sustainability at Fundação Getúlio Vargas / São Paulo School of Business Administration.

 

“Academia has the power to transform. Through scientific rigor, which lends credibility to the academic world, research and publications have the potential to contribute to the creation of a better world. This is precisely one of my commitments: to always seek a deeper understanding of issues that can contribute to our society […] Through the lens of stakeholder’s engagement, I tried to help corporations to adopt a more strategic approach to their philanthropic activities”, says Fabiani.

The full thesis can be accessed in full here.

Global CAF conference promotes network integration and discusses global philanthropy trends

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Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Global Leadership Conference brought together representatives from partner organizations in the first week of June. The event took place in London, where the organization’s headquarters are located.

Since 2005, IDIS has been the representative of CAF in Brazil, a British organization dedicated to philanthropy with 100 years of experience, supporting donors – individuals, major donors, and companies – in achieving the greatest possible impact from their initiatives. Starting this year, new members will join the network, which currently includes representatives from South Africa, Bulgaria, Canada, the United States, India, New Zealand, and Turkey.

The event is a celebration of partnerships and international collaboration in the field of philanthropy, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to the continuous growth of international giving practices.

Paula Fabiani, CEO of IDIS, was one of the guests at the event. She was able to share some perspectives on philanthropy in Brazil and highlight the importance of collaboration in increasing international donations to our country.

Paula was one of the speakers at the parallel event, open to external guests, called ‘Powering World Giving Reception,’ where she emphasized Brazil’s position at 18th place in the World Giving Index, our challenges, and advancements in the philanthropic field. She shared the stage with Grace Maingi, Executive Director of the Kenya Community Development Foundation, who shared insights on philanthropy in Kenya, and Emma Cherniavsky, CEO of the UK for UNHCR, who contributed with a speech on the role of networks in encouraging international donations.

“I was truly inspired to hear from incredible people from around the world! I would like to thank the entire CAF team for their impeccable organization and the wonderful reception,” says Paula Fabiani.