It’s undeniable that technology has transformed our world. It has brought dramatic societal shifts and ways to connect, learn and participate that were once unimaginable. Each sector has uniquely benefited from the rise of technology – and philanthropy is no exception.

However, despite this transformation, the true potential of democratised philanthropy remains untapped. Without truly harnessing the power and platforms of the digital age, we risk excluding voices around the world and limiting our ability to improve the world we live in.

Technology has the potential to be the single most effective method of democratising philanthropy and, ultimately, wider society. In this age of populism and social media, we must ask ourselves how we can leverage technology for good, and in turn, drive much needed democratic change. If used correctly, technology can strengthen the voice of grantees and the communities we engage with by bringing voices to our boardrooms and offices irrespective of where they are. However, we must not lose sight of the potentially dangerous impacts of technology, from digital mass surveillance, social media disinformation, biased algorithms, and data exploitation.

The good news is that as organisations driven by moral values, with a unique ability to take risks for positive societal transformation, philanthropists are uniquely positioned to drive the digital democracy agenda. We can fund research or innovations and bring together business, government, academics, and activists, to build ethical frameworks for technology – in turn, building trust, transparency, and avoiding the dangerous pitfalls of technology.

However, before we can lead this change, we must look inwards and consider if we, ourselves, are equipped to use technology to democratise and strengthen our own philanthropic approach. So, what steps should philanthropists take to promote participation and democracy within our own organisations?

  • Use technology to ensure that beneficiaries play a bigger role in the work
  • Use digital tools to democratise decision-making about grants
  • Use technology to support participation

Read the full article about democracy, philanthropy, and technology by Stefan Germann at Alliance Magazine.