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ABOUT WINGSForum
WINGSForum is the preeminent global conference on philanthropy — bringing together 350 delegates from 60 countries, representing over 100,000 foundations, grant-makers, and social investors from every region of the world.
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Held every three years, WINGSForum offers a rare opportunity for a truly unique collection of philanthropy associations, support organizations, funders and academics from all regions of the world to network, learn from each other and deeply explore how philanthropy can make an ever-greater contribution to social impact and civil society building.
WINGSForum delegates represent the broad spectrum of philanthropic work — from family philanthropy to corporate and individual giving, from high net worth individuals to community and grassroots philanthropy. Each of whom offers a valuable lens into best practices and new models and each of whom plays a unique role in social impact at a local, regional and global level.
Feedback from participants consistently ranks WINGSForum as one of the most valuable opportunities for professional development, relationship building and knowledge sharing.
IMAGINE​
The WINGSForum 2020/2021 theme "IMAGINE" is about creating a new future by searching deep inside our collective wisdom, knowledge and experiences to birth new images, visions and practical ideas. It is based on the idea that we need to engage in radical reflections and take decisive action to address and leverage new power, new technology and new economic models. It is about imagining the society we want and building the philanthropy sector we need to get there.
It will challenge us to think beyond the conventional wisdom of what philanthropy is and offer exciting opportunities to explore what it can — and must — become.
The COVID-19 crisis offers the philanthropy sector an unprecedented opportunity to make a profound contribution to a better way forward. We are the ones best suited to catalyze the change in mindsets, power structures, business models, and industry — within our sector and beyond.
WINGSForum2020/2021 will provide a platform to imagine, explore and experiment with different paths for moving forward as individuals, organizations, and societies in a local, national and global interaction.
Together we will imagine how to break the constraints of inertia and incrementalism that have impeded progress for too long. Together we will work to ensure the pace and scope of social progress will overcome the pace and scope of the threats that stand in the way of building a more just, equitable and healthy world.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES ​
1. Generate new connections and ideas for the PHILANTHROPIC SECTOR
2. Vision and ideas to RE-THINK THE SOCIETY we want to build
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3. A sense of excitement and possibility for the roles we can play AS INDIVIDUALS
About WINGS
WINGSForum is created by WINGS, the world’s leading network of thought leaders and changemakers in the philanthropic sector. WINGS is an interconnected community of philanthropic associations, networks, support organizations, academics and funders committed to ending inertia, breaking down silos and creating an enabling environment that allows philanthropy to flourish. They do so by advocating for the role philanthropy can play in creating social change; growing the effectiveness of philanthropic organizations by sharing intelligence and knowledge; and helping build and grow the field of philanthropy at a local, national, regional and global level.
WINGS is proud to partner with the Africa Philanthropy Network to host WINGSForum 2020/2021. APN brings together 67 members organizations serving different forms of African philanthropy. Together APN members represent civil society and community partners in more than 50 African countries.
The coordination of the WINGSForum 2020/2021 is managed by the following organizing teams:
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Planning Committee
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Chair: Maurice Makoloo - Ford Foundation
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Alina Porumb – Association for the Practice of Transformation (APT)
Amy Taylor – CIVICUS
Arif Neky – UN Strategic Partnerships / SDG Partnership Platform
Asha Curran – Giving Tuesday
Barbara Ibrahim – John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement
Christopher Worman – TechSoup
Lauren Bradford – Radical Flexibility Fund
Dumiso Gatsha – Success Capital Organization
Ingrid Srinath – Ashoka University Center for Social Impact and Philanthropy
Marcos Neto – UNDP
Maria Chertok – CAF Russia
Matt Reeves – Aga Khan Foundation
Michael Mapstone – CAF
Naila Farouky – Arab Foundations Forum
Radhika Shah – SDGPP Advisor
Stigmata Tenga – Africa Philanthropy Network
Design Team
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Amy Taylor – CIVICUS
Barbara Ibrahim – John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement
Matt Reeves – Aga Khan Foundation
Stigmata Tenga – Africa Philanthropy Network
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Host Committee
Co-Chairs:
Francis Kiwanga - Foundation for Civil Society and
Janet Mawiyoo - Kenya Community Development Foundation
​Evans Okinyi – East Africa Philanthropy Network
Jackie Asiimwe – CivSource Africa
Matt Reeves – Aga Khan Foundation
Stigmata Tenga – Africa Philanthropy Network
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WINGSForum2017
WINGSForum 2017, took place on February 22-24, 2017 in Mexico City at the Hilton Mexico City Reforma. A primary financial, political and cultural centre of Latin America, Mexico City was a wonderful backdrop for our global community of philanthropy influencers, ranging from WINGS’ members, network participants, funders, and leaders in philanthropy. This year the event was co-hosted by the Centro Mexicano para la Filantropia, Cemefi. Within Cemefi, a host committee comprised of the Asociación Española de Fundaciones, Asociación de Fundaciones Empresariales (AFE Colombia), and European Foundation Centre formed to fund and promote the event alongside WINGS.
WINGSForum 2017 provided an opportunity for reflection on the state of affairs in our field and on the dynamics of power, money and participation. Given the urgency of global crises and challenges to civil society, we must harness the potential of philanthropy, in all its diversity, for a more inclusive, equitable world. As the only existing conference with a focus on the infrastructure of global philanthropy, we were able to connect and affect change across many issues facing the sector today, such as shrinking space for philanthropy, advocacy, evaluation, data, or cross-sectoral collaboration. The forum set the stage and provided an environment for participants to facilitate, support, and encourage innovative and thoughtful discussions on recognizing the potential to influence social change; challenging current models and practices of philanthropy, and creating the conditions for philanthropy to thrive.
"We are the only community foundation in Singapore and there are very few of us in the Asia Pacific, so coming to a conference like this is very helpful in terms of putting us in the global space, so we are kept in touch with global movements, even though some of the local issues we face are slightly different, but I feel that I’m not so much alone and part of the fraternity."
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Joyce Teo | The Community Foundation of Singapore
