Finding Common Language and Action: Community Philanthropic Organizations and Individual Philanthropists

In May 2013, Synergos convened a focus group of international philanthropists and leaders of community foundations to document from both groups the advantages and disadvantages of working together, perceived barriers, and potential ways to address the barriers.

The discussion was initiated by Shannon St. John of Synergos and facilitated by Paula Johnson of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. The focus group and this report were made possible thanks to support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

The following questions guided the discussion:

  • What are the opportunities for community philanthropy organizations to be resources to and expand the impact of global philanthropists?
  • What are the barriers to these partnerships?
  • How can we overcome these barriers? What are the solutions?

Download a report on this discussion, written by Ann Graham.