Field Initiatives > Building the Philanthropy Support Ecosystem
Stronger systems.
Greater impact
Philanthropy does not operate in isolation. Its effectiveness depends on a wider system of organisations, relationships, and support structures that shape how resources flow, how organisations connect, and how action happens in practice.
WINGS works to strengthen the philanthropy support ecosystem: the network of organisations, relationships, and functions that enable philanthropy to operate, collaborate, and grow. This work helps strengthen the visibility, coordination, and capacity of the systems that help giving operate more effectively. Through research, practical tools, shared frameworks, and collective learning, we help organisations understand, map, and strengthen the ecosystems that philanthropy depends on.
Why this matters
Today’s challenges are increasingly complex and interconnected. Strong philanthropy requires more than funding alone. It requires organisations that can connect actors, build knowledge, strengthen capacity, support collaboration, and create the conditions that allow giving to have greater impact.
When these systems are strong, philanthropy becomes more connected, responsive, and effective. When they are weak, efforts can become fragmented, opportunities are missed, and resources may not reach where they are needed most.
Building philanthropy support ecosystems is therefore not simply about strengthening organisations. It is about strengthening the wider systems that help philanthropy learn, collaborate, adapt, and contribute to public good.
What it takes to build a supportive ecosystem
No single organisation can strengthen philanthropy on its own.
Building a strong philanthropy support ecosystem requires understanding who is supporting philanthropy, how organisations relate to one another, where gaps exist, and what conditions help the field thrive.
Through the Lift Up Philanthropy initiative, WINGS and its partners developed a practical framework for strengthening philanthropy support ecosystems.
The framework focuses on four key areas:
Shared language
Creating common definitions and terminology that help organisations communicate, collaborate, and understand their role within the ecosystem.
Understanding impact
Assessing how philanthropy support organisations contribute to stronger philanthropy and identifying what is working well.
Measuring ecosystem strength
Using practical tools and indicators to understand ecosystem capacity, capability, connection, and credibility.
Mapping and strengthening systems
Identifying organisations, relationships, functions, and opportunities that can help build a stronger and more connected ecosystem.
Explore the Guidance
Watch the series
A series of video guides with accompanying chapters from the full guide bring the practice to life. Begin with the introduction from WINGS Executive Director Benjamin Bellegy, then move through the four steps of building a philanthropy support ecosystem.
Welcome to #LiftUpPhilanthropy
WINGS Executive Director Benjamin Bellegy introduces the tools designed to help you develop your philanthropy support ecosystem: why this work matters, what it involves and where it leads.
STEP 1
Taxonomy: understanding the meaning of terms
It is vital to be clear about the terms used. Many words in philanthropy have imprecise meanings that lead to different understandings. In this study, we seek to build a standard terminology of philanthropy support ecosystem terms and PSO organisations so that findings may be intelligible, both within the PSE and outside it.
STEP 2
Country studies: Impact of the philanthropy support ecosystem in India, Kenya and Russia
Taking account of each country’s context, the study assesses the impact of the PSE, using the criteria of the 4Cs (Capacity, Capability, Connection, and Credibility). This leads to an assessment of what is working well and what is not, thus enabling recommendations for action based on empirical data.
STEP 3
Measuring strength: metric tool to assess the strengths of the philanthropy support ecosystem
Measuring the added value of the philanthropy support ecosystem is an integral feature of strengthening it. Measurement involves using five-point scales to assess the attainment of the 4Cs – capacity, capability, connection, and credibility. A variety of statistical methods are suggested to accomplish this. Results will enable people to decide what action to take to enhance the philanthropy support ecosystem in their country or region.
STEP 4
Guidance on how to map and strengthen the ecosystem
A four-stage process is suggested to map the philanthropy support ecosystem:
- Develop a team of people to undertake the work and to set objectives.
- Adapt the method to local circumstances.
- Map the organisations and functions of the philanthropy support ecosystem and assess the relationships between them.
- Develop the vision for the philanthropy support ecosystem, decide on how to pursue it and engage various stakeholders in strengthening it.