Collaborative giving has surged over the past 10 years. Indeed, nearly half of the 300-plus collaborative funds—entities that pool or channel resources from multiple donors to nonprofits—that responded to Bridgespan’s annual survey of collaboratives were founded in the last decade. There’s a good reason for this increase: Executed well, philanthropic collaboratives offer donors the chance to multiply the impact of their giving. Collaboratives are often guided by leaders with strong knowledge of the topic at hand, and are structured in a way that effectively and efficiently channels resources.
March 6, 2025
Learning from a Decade of Collaborative Philanthropy
A look at how donor collaboratives have evolved over time, and how fund leaders and donors can sharpen their strategies today.
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Alison Powell is a Bridgespan partner and co-leads our philanthropy practice out of the San Francisco office. Alison's work supports Bridgespan’s goal of unlocking significant philanthropic resources toward equity and justice. -
Chris Addy is a partner in Bridgespan's Boston office. Over the last fourteen years he has helped philanthropists, impact investors, and ambitious NGO leaders dramatically increase their impact in diverse areas including climate, health, livelihoods, and equity and justice. He also opened Bridgespan’s office in Singapore and recently returned from living in Asia. In addition to supporting clients like The Audacious Project and TPG’s Rise Fund, his research has been published and cited in Harvard Business Review, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and the NY Times. He started his career as a teacher and wilderness guide before consulting. -
Gayle Martin is a senior manager in Bridgespan’s New York office. Since joining the organization in 2020, she has supported a range of nonprofit and philanthropic clients in the fields of global development, climate change, gender equity, global health, democracy, and advocacy.
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