Meet the inaugural recipients of the WINGS Ecosystem Builder Awards
Around the world, organisations are strengthening philanthropy in ways that often go unrecognised. Their work improves funding practices, creates new approaches and tools for philanthropy, builds partnerships, strengthens trust, connects funders with communities, and invests in local leadership.
This work plays a vital role in helping philanthropy respond more effectively to increasingly complex challenges.
Today, WINGS is pleased to introduce the inaugural recipients of the WINGS Ecosystem Builder Awards. The recipients were selected by a Peer Selection Committee made up of philanthropy leaders from different regions and parts of the field.
Humentum & CIPFA (Global)
Recipient, Capability
Shared standards help nonprofits report consistently, strengthen accountability, and work more effectively across countries and contexts.
Humentum and CIPFA developed the International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS), bringing together thousands of contributors from more than 160 countries in a collaborative effort to strengthen financial reporting across the sector.
“This recognition belongs to everyone who helped build INPAS with the sector, rather than for it.” – Chris Proulx, CEO, Humentum
Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Recipient, Capacity
For nearly two decades, Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises has invested in the organisations advancing women’s rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As the country’s first national women’s fund, FFC provides financial and technical support to women-led organisations while helping strengthen the long-term capacity of local movements. Its work recognises that lasting change depends not only on funding individual initiatives, but on investing in the organisations and leaders who will continue driving change for years to come.
“Receiving the WINGS Ecosystem Builder Award is a profound validation of our 18-year commitment to building permanent, local infrastructure for women’s rights in the DRC.”
Alianza Socioambiental Fondos del Sur (Global South)
Recipient, Connection
Across the Global South, locally rooted funds are responding to social and environmental challenges that require collaboration across organisations, regions and movements. Alianza Socioambiental Fondos del Sur helps bring these organisations together.
The network connects 17 socio-environmental funds across Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia, creating opportunities for shared learning, collective advocacy and South-South collaboration. Together, its members have awarded more than 11,200 grants, invested more than USD 98 million directly into communities and supported initiatives in more than 50 countries.
“At Alianza, we see connection as essential infrastructure for stronger philanthropy ecosystems.” – Juliana Tinoco, Executive Coordinator, Alianza Socioambiental Fondos del Sur
The Circle on Philanthropy (Canada)
Recipient, Connection
Relationships are central to well-functioning philanthropy. The Circle on Philanthropy is helping strengthen relationships between Indigenous communities and philanthropy in Canada in ways that centre Indigenous leadership, knowledge and self-determination.
As an Indigenous-led organisation, The Circle supports Indigenous communities, philanthropists and foundations to build more equitable partnerships through convening, learning and collaboration. Its work is helping strengthen relationships between Indigenous communities and the wider philanthropic sector.
“This award honours the collective work of Indigenous communities, partners, and allies who are reimagining philanthropy through relationships, reciprocity, and Indigenous leadership.”
GuideStar India
Recipient, Credibility
Donors, nonprofits and policymakers all rely on accurate information to make decisions.
For more than 15 years, GuideStar India has helped strengthen trust in India’s nonprofit sector by making verified information about charitable organisations publicly available. Its work supports donors, nonprofits, researchers and policymakers, while encouraging greater transparency and stronger reporting practices across the sector. By making this information accessible, GuideStar India has helped strengthen confidence in the nonprofit sector and support more informed giving.
“Credibility is built over time through openness, consistency, and a shared commitment to strengthening the sector.”
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation (United States)
Recipient, Funder
Strong philanthropy requires more than funding individual projects. It also depends on sustained investment in the organisations, networks and infrastructure that help the wider field learn, collaborate and grow.
For decades, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has invested not only in individual organisations and initiatives, but also in the infrastructure that helps philanthropy thrive. Its long-term commitment has contributed to stronger philanthropy ecosystems in the United States and around the world.
“Strong philanthropy depends on strong infrastructure. Investing in the organisations that connect, support, and strengthen the field is essential to achieving lasting impact.”
Strengthening the wider ecosystem
The inaugural recipients of the WINGS Ecosystem Builder Awards demonstrate that philanthropy support ecosystems are strengthened in many different ways. They are developing shared standards, investing in local leadership, strengthening transparency, building relationships, and creating the conditions that help philanthropy respond to complex challenges.
As the inaugural recipients, they also set the standard for a new recognition programme celebrating the organisations, partnerships and individuals whose work strengthens philanthropy around the world.
Congratulations to the inaugural recipients of the WINGS Ecosystem Builder Awards!