Plenary 4: From Grant-making to Governance: How does private charity interact with public policy?

The panel discussed how philanthropies have grown and innovated in the ways that they access and deploy capital. Philanthropies have evolved from filling public service gaps and complementing public policy to influencing public institutions and shaping public policies, and examples were cited in the field of global health. 

Moderator Patrick Nip opened the discussion by framing the question around what meaningful collaboration between philanthropy and government could look like. Agnes Binagwaho reflected on Rwanda's healthcare advancements, highlighting the importance of fostering trust between the government and the public, especially in resource-limited settings; transparency and trust in the health system had led to high vaccination rates there. 

Brieuc Van Damme stressed the importance of trust-based partnerships between the government and philanthropy. He noted that philanthropy can take on high-risk projects and offer long-term solutions without being subject to political and business cycles and, while he shared examples from his public policy work showing that philanthropy might have frictions with government, its efforts were not easily replaceable. 

Building on this theme, Bernhard Schwartländer, talked about how trust and connection to communities enabled philanthropists to be more agile and risk-taking; however, big philanthropic organisations should be wary of becoming too bureaucratic. Heidi Larson echoed this sentiment, cautioning against philanthropy taking on roles meant for government which could compromise sustainability and accountability. She suggested that being able to deliver as promised and being transparent on motives are important elements in building and maintaining trust. She also commended the power of philanthropy to facilitate cross sectoral exchange. 

Suwit Wibulpolprasert shared the success story of Thailand’s Rural Doctors Movement, explaining that its success was built on trust, evidence-based practices, and a commitment to equity. He stressed that trust takes years to build but seconds to break, urging both philanthropies and governments to minimise self-interest to foster long-lasting collaboration.

During the Q&A session, the panellists discussed how smaller NGOs and junior professionals can elevate their concerns and influence government policy by promoting true understanding of the issues involved and putting themselves in policymakers’ shoes. Binagwaho and Suwit emphasised the vital role that small organisations play in driving systemic change, and Schwartländer suggested that smaller philanthropies, with proximity to the people they aim to serve, be involved in conversations with larger organisations to ensure their voices are heard.

In conclusion, the panel underscored that trust, collaboration and transparency are cornerstones of successful partnerships between philanthropy and government. By working together, respecting each other’s roles and building trust with the communities they serve, both sectors can create sustainable and long-term solutions to global challenges.