Field Initiatives > WINGS Ecosystem Builder Awards
Recognising the organisations
and funders building the
architecture behind the field
The people strengthening philanthropy’s infrastructure rarely get public recognition. The work is structural, long-term, and often invisible: convening organisations, shaping policy, building evidence, and investing in the ecosystems that philanthropy depends on.
The WINGS Ecosystem Builder Awards (WEBAs) make that work visible.
Every cycle, the WEBAs honour organisations and funders whose work is strengthening philanthropy support ecosystems at local, regional, and global levels. Winners are profiled through WINGS’ global platforms and celebrated at WINGSForum, giving the field clear examples of what ecosystem building looks like in practice and why it matters.
Why the WEBAs exist
Philanthropy support organisations, and the funders who back them, are the infrastructure philanthropy runs on. They help funding reach organisations, enable collaboration across organisations, and build the knowledge and systems that make giving more effective. Yet they are often underfunded, overlooked, and poorly understood. The WEBAs surface what’s working, give ecosystem builders a platform to share their approach, and help funders and peers better understand the field they are part of.
The WINGS Ecosystem Builder Awards sit within WINGS’ wider Lift Up Philanthropy work alongside the Lift Up Philanthropy Fund. Together, they reflect a shared commitment to recognising and resourcing the organisations and funders doing foundational ecosystem-building work.
Who the WEBAs recognise
The WEBAs recognise five outstanding contributors who exemplify the core dimensions of ecosystem building.
- Capacity: Providing the resources that sustain philanthropic giving.
- Connections: Building strong, collaborative relationships across the field.
- Capability: Sharing knowledge, tools, and skills that strengthen practice.
- Credibility: Building trust, reputation, and influence in the ecosystem.
- Ecosystem Funder Leadership: Honouring exceptional leadership in supporting philanthropy’s support ecosystems.
Criteria
Nominations are evaluated on the following:
Ecosystem focus
The work strengthens the wider philanthropy support ecosystem, not only the nominee’s own institution.
Demonstrated contribution
Clear evidence of meaningful impact on the field locally, regionally or globally.
Field-building practice
The approach reflects collaboration, shared learning and the principles of the Philanthropy Transformation Initiative.
Sustained commitment
The work is ongoing or represents a significant multi-year effort.
Influence and inspiration
The nominee’s practice offers learning and encouragement for others in the field.
Who can nominate
Nominations are open to anyone working in or alongside philanthropy: WINGS members, funders, peer organisations, partners and self-nominations are all accepted. Nominees do not need to be WINGS members.
Nomination process
Nominations move through five stages.
1. Submissions
Complete the online nomination form before the deadline, including supporting documentation.
2. Eligibility review
WINGS staff confirm that nominations meet the basic criteria.
3. Jury review
The WINGS Ecosystem Builder Awards jury, a panel of peers from across the field, reviews eligible nominations against the criteria.
4. Selection
The jury selects honourees across all categories, with consideration for regional and thematic balance.
5. Announcement
Honourees are contacted, then announced publicly through WINGS’ channels.
Meet the 2026 nominees
Explore the organisations and funders recognised in 2026: what they do, what they’ve built, and how their work is strengthening the philanthropy support ecosystems in their regions.
Capacity
Resourcing the systems that sustain giving
Asociatia pentru Relatii Comunitare
Strengthening local philanthropy and civil society in Romania through fundraising support, donor engagement, and community philanthropy initiatives.
Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises
Supporting feminist movements and women-led organisations in the Democratic Republic of Congo through flexible funding, capacity strengthening, and advocacy.
Global Philanthropy Project
Coordinating global philanthropic funding and donor collaboration to strengthen LGBTQI movements and build more resilient ecosystems for human rights and social justice.
National Network of Local Philanthropy Development
Strengthening local philanthropy and community resilience in Ukraine through match-funding models, local giving initiatives, and cross-sector collaboration.
Connections
Building relationships and collaboration across the field
Alianza Socioambiental Fondos del Sur | Socio-Environmental Funds of the Global South
Connecting socio-environmental funds across the Global South to strengthen collaboration, local leadership, and collective action for environmental justice.
Alliance For Women And Girls
Building stronger connections among organisations advancing gender equality across Africa through collaboration, shared learning, and movement-building.
Arab Foundations Forum
Strengthening philanthropy across the Arab region by connecting foundations, fostering peer learning, and supporting more effective and collaborative giving.
ECFI / European Community Foundation Initiative
Supporting and connecting community foundations across Europe to strengthen local philanthropy, civic participation, and place-based philanthropy.
The Circle on Philanthropy
Advancing Indigenous-led philanthropy in Canada by strengthening relationships, accountability, and community-centred approaches to giving.
Capability
Strengthening knowledge, tools, and practice
Humentum & CIPFA
Strengthening financial management and accountability across the social sector through global standards, tools, and professional capacity-building for nonprofits and philanthropy actors.
IDIS – Institute for the Development of Social Investment
Advancing strategic philanthropy and social investment in Brazil through research, advisory support, field-building, and ecosystem collaboration.
Impact Foundation / Dasra
Building stronger social impact ecosystems in India by connecting philanthropy, nonprofits, and communities through research, collaboration, and capacity-building.
Participatory Grantmaking Community
Advancing participatory grantmaking practices globally by shifting decision-making power closer to the communities most affected by social challenges.
Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement
Supporting community-led systems change through learning networks, collaboration, and practical tools for collective impact.
Credibility
Building trust, legitimacy, and influence
GuideStar India
Building trust and transparency in India’s philanthropy ecosystem through accessible nonprofit data, verification systems, and shared credibility infrastructure.
Philanthropy in Ukraine / PhilinUA
Building trusted infrastructure for philanthropy in Ukraine through due diligence, transparency, and coordination between donors and civil society organisations.
Philanthropy Ireland
Shaping the future of Irish philanthropy through strategic foresight, sector collaboration, and evidence-based leadership.
Sitawi Finance for Good
Advancing trust, transparency, and innovative financial solutions for social and environmental impact in Brazil.
Ecosystem Funder Leadership
Investing in the infrastructure philanthropy needs
Alliance for Gender Equality in Europe
Mobilising collaborative funding and strengthening support for grassroots gender equality organisations across Europe.
Instituto Cidadania Empresarial
Supporting long-term ecosystem building and impact entrepreneurship in Brazil through collaborative philanthropy and catalytic investment.
Mott Foundation
Providing long-term support for philanthropy infrastructure and community foundation development around the world.
For funders
The WEBAs are made possible by funders who believe the organisations strengthening philanthropy deserve public recognition. Partner with us to grow the awards’ reach, expand regional coverage and invest in the visibility of ecosystem builders worldwide.