Philanthropic intermediaries develop expertise in specific areas or issues, such as education or international development, and they often support social entrepreneurship. They funnel donations from their donors to organizations and individuals working closely "on the ground" on those concerns.
Paul Brest and Hal Harvey, authors of Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy provide these examples, among others, of worthy intermediaries:
- The Acumen Fund supports health, housing, and water projects in developing countries.
- Ashoka funds social entrepreneurs around the world who are working on civic engagement, economic development, health, human rights, and education.
- Good Capital, provides capital to social enterprises. Its investment product, the Social Enterprise Expansion Fund, seeks to attract millions of dollars from philanthropists and capital market innovators.
Recommended Resources:
Inspired Philanthropy: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Giving Plan and Leaving a Legacy, Third Edition, Tracy Gary, Jossey-Bass, 2008.
Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy, Paul Brest and Hal Harvey, Bloomberg, 2008.
