Though the term is increasingly bandied around, what does ‘decolonising philanthropy’ mean and how does it work?

Reading the term ‘decolonising philanthropy’ is likely to evoke mixed feelings. Some may feel energised or hopeful, while to others the idea might cause feelings of frustration, apprehension or discomfort. This special feature presents contributors from philanthropic practice and scholarship with an important opportunity to not only unpack the concept of decolonising philanthropy, but to highlight what best practice in this space looks like.

As guest editors from the academic sector, we also aim to use this space to demystify the often unwieldy conceptualisation of decolonised philanthropy. Indeed, many in the sector from elite donors down to grassroots community organisations may be practising decolonised forms of philanthropy unknowingly. But primarily, we aim to inform and stimulate further dialogue around the issue, as it is an essential step towards a broader paradigm shift in the sector.

Decolonising embedded power structures
As has been widely established by scholars and practitioners alike, colonisation extends far beyond the occupation of a foreign land by force. Nowadays, the colonial relics that must be undone are societal, economic and often psychological.

Philanthropy operates within and through these residual structures, and its role and immense power is being challenged. Increasingly, those involved in the sector are acknowledging that while philanthropy has undoubtedly contributed to the upliftment of communities over many generations, acts of generosity should not absolve the individuals from accountability for undesirable consequences of their actions. But beyond simple accountability lies a further set of trickier questions. How should prominent philanthropists distribute the power that naturally comes with being a wealth creator? What can the philanthropy sector do to deploy financial capital in ways that put social justice and equality at the core? To what extent can local actors influence how philanthropists use their enormous social capital, often a result of individual wealth and/or social class?

Read the full article about decolonizing philanthropy by Shonali Banerjee and Urvi Shriram at Alliance Magazine.