{"id":24178,"date":"2025-11-03T10:45:57","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T13:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.idis.org.br\/en\/?p=24178"},"modified":"2025-12-17T17:58:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T20:58:32","slug":"brazilian-philanthropy-forum-2025-reflects-on-the-challenges-and-responses-of-philanthropy-nowadays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.idis.org.br\/en\/2025\/11\/03\/brazilian-philanthropy-forum-2025-reflects-on-the-challenges-and-responses-of-philanthropy-nowadays\/","title":{"rendered":"Brazilian Philanthropy Forum 2025 reflects on the challenges and responses of philanthropy nowadays"},"content":{"rendered":"

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How can we put hope in action in philanthropy? How can data, technology and artificial intelligence drive social transformation? What influence does family philanthropy have? And how can philanthropy actually lead us to a more equal society?<\/p>\n

These and many other questions guided the discussions at the 14th Brazilian Philanthropy Forum<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, held on October 1st, 2025<\/strong><\/span>, and organized by IDIS \u2013 Institute for the Development of Social Investment<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. The event brought together influential leaders from Brazilian and global philanthropy, as well as representatives from civil society and the private sector.<\/p>\n

With the theme ‘Hope in Action’<\/strong><\/span>, the Forum was organized in partnership with the Global Philanthropy Forum<\/strong><\/span> and Charities Aid Foundation<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s easy to feel paralyzed, with the future clouded by uncertainty. But I look around and see you – people who dedicate themselves every day to causes like education, health, climate, human rights, income generation, racial equity, culture, and so many others. You are not just waiting – you are acting,\u201d emphasized Paula Fabiani, CEO of IDIS, in her opening remarks.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Climate urgency and socio-environmental justice<\/h3>\n

\u201cDisaster is the vulnerability to the event, not the event itself<\/strong>\u201d<\/span><\/em>. With this reflection, Patricia McIlreavy, President and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy<\/em>, opened the first panel, which addressed climate change and socio-environmental justice<\/strong><\/span>. She was joined by Alice Amorim<\/strong><\/span>, from the COP30 Presidency, Viviana Santiago<\/strong><\/span>, from Oxfam Brasil<\/em>, and moderator Malu Nunes<\/strong><\/span>, from the Botic\u00e1rio Group Foundation for Nature Protection<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Her words connected with the broader theme of the session: that crises reveal inequalities already present, and philanthropy\u2019s response must prioritize people. The panel emphasized placing communities at the center of decision-making, fostering multi-stakeholder alliances, and integrating environmental and equity agendas.<\/p>\n

The role of corporations and social investors<\/h3>\n

Discussions also explored how companies can become agents of transformation \u2014 going beyond grant-making to embed purpose in their value chains and strategic partnerships. Philanthropy, in this view, becomes not only a moral duty but a strategic investment<\/strong><\/span> in both society and business.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn these moments of uncertainty and difficulty, the role of social investors and corporations has not changed\u201d<\/strong><\/span>, said Alejandro Alvarez von Gustedt<\/strong><\/span>, Vice President of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in Europe. \u201cThe environment may have shifted somewhat, but what we need to do to achieve impact by supporting communities remains essentially the same: the path is engagement and partnership. Above all, within communities, we must listen, collaborate, and build those partnerships. That\u2019s how we can maximize the social return on every dollar or real invested\u201d.<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

When it comes to the influence of family philanthropy<\/strong><\/span>, Carola Matarazzo, Executive Director of Movimento Bem Maior<\/em> and Chair of the GIFE Governance Council<\/em>, opened the discussion by revisiting the historical evolution of family giving in Brazil and the lessons learned along the way. She highlighted family governance as a key pillar and reflected on how different generations have contributed to shaping new approaches, often guided by the idea of transforming inheritance into legacy.<\/p>\n

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Innovation, technology and trust<\/h3>\n

The Forum also explored how digital tools, monitoring systems, and shared platforms<\/strong><\/span> can help philanthropy scale and become more agile, while emphasizing that innovation must remain rooted in listening, equity, and trust.<\/p>\n

In the panel \u201cPutting Hope into Action, Not Just Waiting: Monitoring for Bridge Building\u201d<\/em>, participants reflected on how data, power balance, and trust intersect in evaluation processes. Meanwhile, \u201cInnovation and Technology: From Dystopia to Utopia\u201d<\/em> showcased practical experiences demonstrating how technology can strengthen public management, drive structural change, and promote a culture of evidence-based learning focused on social transformation.<\/p>\n

The closing plenary<\/strong><\/span> brought together leaders from diverse sectors and countries, reinforcing the importance of collaboration across perspectives to build a more just and prosperous future.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe certainly face enormous challenges, but we have seen throughout today that they do not paralyze us,\u201d said Paula Fabiani, CEO of IDIS, in her closing remarks. \u201cAs Paulo Freire, who coined the term ‘hope in action’, once said, \u2018I am not hopeful out of stubbornness, but out of existential and historical necessity.\u2019 Today we celebrated the dreams – and the persistence – of people who act in pursuit of a more just and sustainable world.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Watch the full event here:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n