Our Networks

One of Synergos' core strengths is the ability to connect people, resources and ideas. Our networks offer members opportunities to sharpen their understanding of issues, collaborate on specific projects and create systemic change.

Global Philanthropists Circle

Established in 2001, the Global Philanthropists Circle encompasses more than 200 individuals -- members of more than 70 families from more than 20 countries -- who are committed to using their time, influence and resources to address issues of poverty and social injustice. Circle members are actively involved in important issues such as at-risk youth in Brazil, restorative justice in Colombia, child nutrition in Mexico, education in the Philippines, malaria in Africa, housing in Pakistan and global climate change.

A dynamic and diverse peer network, the Circle increases the impact of members' philanthropy by offering them opportunities for learning and collaboration. Throughout the year, members engage in learning visits to developing countries where they meet with community groups and local philanthropists, and participate in interactive meetings and workshops with key activists, academics and civil society leaders. On a learning visit to Lebanon, Circle members witnessed a new initiative aimed at healing the religious, cultural and economic fissures that now divide Lebanese society. During a trip to Mexico, members saw how community groups and local philanthropists have designed long-term employment opportunities for rural farmers. For members ready to enter the next stage of learning, Synergos helps member families draw their experiences together into a formal philanthropic strategy.

Senior Fellows Program

The Senior Fellows Program is a network of more than 90 leading professionals from more than 30 countries. Senior Fellows, most of whom work in community-linked philanthropic and social justice organizations, help civil society groups develop into robust institutions. Throughout their three-year terms, Senior Fellows work with local organizations to strengthen their governance structures, build partnerships, mobilize resources and plan for the future. In recent years, Fellows have assisted organizations in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Southern Africa, Thailand and on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

At their 2006 annual meeting in New Delhi, Senior Fellows formed Global Action Teams to address some of the most difficult questions at the nexus of development and philanthropy. How can civil society organizations become independent and sustainable? How should young people be integrated into an organization's leadership structure? How can philanthropy support transformative social change? How can development aid be more effective?

National and Regional Networks

At the local level, Synergos brings diverse constituents together to tackle specific development challenges. By creating a microcosm of the larger society, Synergos helps ensure that solutions to development challenges reflect the fullest panoply of voices. For example, the Southern African Community Grantmaker Leadership Cooperative, first convened by Synergos in 2005, has developed into a powerful network for collaboration and peer learning. Comprised of 30 senior grantmakers from across Southern Africa, the cooperative is already a conduit for independent development funding throughout the region and a respected resource of innovative development strategies.

Synergos brings together leaders to learn from one another and to help them be more effective in achieving social change. We connect our network members to ideas, people and resources that enable them to have greater and more sustainable impacts in addressing the challenges of poverty.