RESEARCH

We conduct commissioned and original research to investigate trends and identify patterns in philanthropy. We believe that philanthropy and the social sector are a marketplace in its nascency, with new entrants, approaches and emerging dynamics to observe. We research and write to join the vibrant conversation about this moment in philanthropy.

Our current research includes inquiry on donor activation, trends in collaboration and funds, and new methods of wayfinding to match philanthropic supply and demand. Below is a sampling of commissioned research and independent writing.

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Collaboratives as a Philanthropic Asset Class

The benefits, challenges, and potential of collaborative philanthropy

Collaborative funds are the investment funds of philanthropy — expert-led pooled vehicles that aggregate and deploy philanthropic resources from multiple donors. Within philanthropy, they’re getting a lot of attention, but externally, few know of them. We argue that these funds are the future of philanthropy and that it’s far past time when every donor should consider including them in their philanthropic portfolio. This piece lays out the value proposition of collaboratives, including existing literature and new donor stories, before exploring barriers to take up and opportunities to advance the field. It draws on insights from a 150-person workshop at last year’s Global Summit of Collaborative Funds and findings from two new donor surveys.

• Read the report here. (April 2026)

Wayfinding

Building better navigation infrastructure to activate philanthropy with a focus on philanthropic advisors

Unprecedented levels of wealth are creating substantial opportunities for high-impact philanthropic giving. However, there are persistent limits to actual deployment of resources, despite societal and environmental demand. From 2021-2023, in partnership with the Global Development Incubator, Schmidt Futures, the Bridgespan Group, Philanthropy Together, P150 and three bold individual philanthropists, we conducted interviews, surveys, focus groups and technology pilots. The research showed that the philanthropic sector is ripe for better navigation infrastructure (ways to understand issues and find what to fund), specifically for philanthropic advisors who own the trusted relationship with donors and are playing increasingly important roles in lean-staffed large philanthropies.

• Read our working summary here.

Going Beyond Giving

Perspectives on the philanthropic practices of high and ultra-high net worth donors

The Philanthropy Workshop (now Forward Global), with funding from the Raikes Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, commissioned research to understand the experiences, practices, and behaviors of high and ultra-high net worth philanthropists. The research included an electronic survey of over 200 individuals (November 2017). Their responses raised provocative questions about the power of philanthropy to transform an individual’s investment decision about giving to tangible social change.

• Read Paul Sullivan's "Wealth Matters" column, published in advance of the report's formal release in the Saturday, November 11, 2017 business section of The New York Times.

• Read "Inside the Minds of Wealthy Donors", a column published on Inside Philanthropy by David Callahan.

• Read "For Big Philanthropists, Advice From Family and Peers Is Still Key to Giving, Study Finds" written by Timothy Sandoval of The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

New Philanthropic Trends

Insights on current philanthropy and the new donors of Silicon Valley

• The Giving Code: Silicon Valley Nonprofits and Philanthropy. This research, authored by Alexa Culwell and Heather McCleod Grant, provides a holistic portrait of the region’s nonprofit and philanthropy ecosystems. Strategy for Scale provided input and editorial support, as well as contributing research from previous work. (October 2016)

• Five Lessons for New Philanthropists. Before tackling complex social problems, new philanthropists should consider what current philanthropists have learned about how to “hack.” Stanford Social Innovation Review online. (July 2015)

• Philanthropy's New Release: Reflections on the changing philanthropic landscape in Silicon Valley, supported by the Sobrato Family Foundation. Stanford Social Innovation Review online. (December 2014)

Reflections on Social Entrepreneurship

Insights on scaling organizations and impact

• It's Not All About Growth for Social Enterprises. The question is not how do you grow organizations, but how do you scale impact? Independent research based on the Skoll Foundation portfolio. Harvard Business Review online. (January 2013)

• Freeing the Social Entrepreneur. Social entrepreneurs are often reluctant to relinquish control and empower strong leadership teams. Making this transition is critical to scaling and accomplishing the desired impact. Independent research done in partnership with Chantal Laurie Below. Stanford Social Innovation Review. (October 2010)

Delivering Health. Care Redefined.

A commissioned work intended to capture the collective view of a group of innovative organizations working on global health; the models they individually espouse and are scaling hold powerful evidence for an expanded and more effective healthcare delivery system. The paper presents the organizations' framework for system change, moving the model from one of sick care to one promoting health. (April 2014)

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