Giving Compass' Take:

• Luminate is a new philanthropic organization launched from the Governance & Citizen Engagement initiative at Omidyar Network and will focus on four main impact areas: civic empowerment, data and digital rights, financial transparency, and independent media. 

• How is this organization's model different from others? Will this help or hinder its ability to create social change?

• Read about the benefits of collaborative philanthropy. 

Luminate is a global philanthropic organisation designed to empower people and institutions to build just and fair societies.

Around the world, we’re seeing the pillars of a strong society — including press freedom, transparency and accountability, freedom of expression, and democracy — come under sustained attack. Luminate is here to stand by those tackling these critical challenges. Through investment and support, and by being an outspoken voice on the issues critical to change, we’re helping courageous organisations act to protect people’s rights and strengthen society.

Our organisation is new, but we already have deep experience addressing these issues. For more than 10 years we were the Governance & Citizen Engagement initiative at Omidyar Network, the philanthropic investment firm set up by Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay. Over that time, we grew as a global team and supported more than 200 organisations in 18 countries with more than $300 million of grants and investments.

As Luminate, our goals and the core of our work remain consistent, but we’re now expanding the breadth and depth of this activity across our four impact areas:

  • In Civic Empowerment, we’re continuing our support for civic technology.
  • In Data & Digital Rights, we’re building on our work around data governance to investigate and help shape the way people’s rights are upheld.
  • In Financial Transparency, we’re demanding greater transparency, accountability, and participation in the use of public funds, and we’re sharpening our focus on tackling corruption.
  • In Independent Media, we’re continuing to increase our work defending a vibrant press that uncovers truth and holds power to account.

Read the full article about Luminate at Medium