World Bank Group launches hub to scale philanthropic funding

The Philanthropy Hub will serve as a single entry point for philanthropic organizations seeking to work with the Group, helping identify opportunities to deploy philanthropic capital, solutions and knowledge. It will also promote knowledge sharing, innovative partnerships and the alignment of funding around shared priorities.

Scaling up philanthropic contributions:

The launch comes amid growing development needs and constrained public resources, as philanthropic organizations expand their role beyond grant funding to include investment capital, expertise and partner coordination.

Their contributions are already supporting World Bank Group initiatives, including Mission 300, Health Works and Water Forward, with tangible results on the ground.

“As development needs grow and resources come under pressure, partnership matters more than ever. Philanthropic organizations bring deep expertise and innovative solutions that align closely with our core missions and jobs agenda. The Philanthropy Hub will connect ideas, resources and partners to take those solutions to scale, and to deliver for people and communities around the world,” said Paschal Donohoe, managing director and chief knowledge officer of the World Bank Group.

Asian philanthropic networks sign agreements:

The Hub was launched at the first World Bank Group Philanthropy Forum, held during the World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok. Co-convened with the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN), the Institute of Philanthropy, the OECD’s netFWD and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance by Temasek Trust, the forum brought together more than 200 leaders from philanthropic foundations and networks, family offices, development institutions and partner organizations.

On the sidelines of the forum, two leading Asian philanthropic networks signed memoranda of understanding with the World Bank Group to strengthen cooperation and mobilize resources for development initiatives.

AVPN will leverage its regional network to connect foundations, social investors and private-sector partners with World Bank Group initiatives. The network also announced a dedicated fund to finance technical assistance for Health Works, a Group initiative aimed at helping 1.5 billion people access quality, affordable health services.

Temasek Trust will draw on its experience in mobilizing philanthropic capital, bringing partners together and advancing innovative financing approaches to develop scalable partnership models. The collaboration will focus on priority initiatives, including AgriConnect, Health Works and Water Forward.

Knowledge partnerships to drive impact:

Knowledge sharing is another central pillar of the Philanthropy Hub, with a growing network of knowledge partners expected to help translate research, data and practical experience into tangible results in countries where the World Bank Group operates.

The network includes regional organizations such as the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Latimpacto, the Philanthropy Asia Alliance and the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society.

It also brings together strategy and advisory firms, including Boston Consulting Group, Bridgespan, Dalberg and Coefficient Giving, alongside academic and research institutions such as the Marshall Institute at the London School of Economics and Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.