Future Directions in Philanthropy: Participation, Equity, and Systemic Transformation
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-philintrantrninnov-08
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About the Article
Philanthropy is undergoing a paradigmatic shift, moving from hierarchical, donor-centered models toward participatory, equitable, and systemic approaches. This article identifies four key trajectories shaping philanthropy’s future: participatory and trust-based practices that transfer decision-making power to communities; democratization of giving through micro-donations, peer-to-peer platforms, and grassroots funds; systemic philanthropy focused on structural justice; and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While these models promise greater inclusivity and legitimacy, they also confront barriers of scalability, sustainability, and accountability. Participatory approaches may enhance trust yet are difficult to institutionalize; democratized giving diversifies funding but remains unstable; and SDG integration strengthens coherence but risks replicating top-down dynamics. The article argues that philanthropy’s credibility will depend on redistributing power from elites to communities, prioritizing systemic equity, and ensuring that global frameworks remain grounded in local ownership and cultural legitimacy.
Key Topics
- Participatory and trust-based philanthropy
- Democratization of giving and grassroots funding
- Systemic philanthropy and structural justice
- Global governance and the SDGs
- Power redistribution and local ownership
- Equity and accountability in global philanthropy
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Future Directions in Philanthropy: Participation, Equity, and Systemic Transformation. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-philintrantrninnov-08
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