The International Philanthropic Community July 25, 2007 A big part of what we do at Greengrants is spread the word about how important it is to give globally. Since the mid-90s Greengrants has been an active member of the Council on Foundations, organizing numerous Annual Conference workshop sessions devoted to increasing and improving global philanthropy – especially focused on the risks and rewards of grassroots giving beyond U.S. borders. These sessions have been very popular, particularly since the challenges of cross-border philanthropy have been compounded by increasingly demanding U.S. Treasury Dept. due diligence regulations such as the Patriot Act. I currently serve as a member of the International Committee of the Council on Foundations and was part of the process of coming up with the Principles of Accountability for International Philanthropy that were released in May. This was a collaborative process that started in 2005 when the Joint Working Group was given the task of coming up with a set of principles and good practice options addressing the issue of accountability to mission, grantees, partners and ultimately the intended beneficiaries of trans-national philanthropic activity. The group engaged foundations from both the Council on Foundations and the European Foundation Center, as well as other philanthropic networks and experts for input into the process. Consultations were also held with grantees and partner organizations in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa, including a workshop with 25 African NGO leaders in South Africa. Global Greengrants Fund hosted a consultation in Boulder. The result are the Principles, which are a big step forward in philanthropy. Says Steve Gunderson, President and CEO of the Council on Foundations: “The growth of global philanthropy is obvious – in interest, engagement, and need. But the importance of these Principles is their commitment to enhancing the impact, and effectiveness of such giving. These principles represent the best standards developed by the most experienced philanthropic leaders in both Europe and the United States. They should serve as a guide for all international giving strategies.” The Principles are also illustrative of the influence progressive funders can have in the foundation world if they engage and assert their values. If you’d like to be part of this community, get involved! There are a wide range of donor affinity groups and networks including the European Foundation Centre, the Environmental Grantmakers Association, Grantmakers Without Borders, and the International Human Rights Funders Group and many other philanthropy organizations around the world to play your part. This spring the Council on Foundations will host what promises to be the largest gathering of philanthropists in history. This groundbreaking event, Philanthropy 2008, will be held May 4–7, 2008 at the new Gaylord National Convention Center in Washington, DC. Greengrants and our partners will be there, actively demonstrating the benefits of sharing philanthropic resources globally – at the community-based level.

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