By Benjamin Bellegy, Executive Director, WINGS.
The 20th Anniversary of WINGS is a time for great celebration and deep reflection. We have had many successes together, perhaps more than we might have imagined just 20-years ago. At the same time, the promises we made to the world — and each other — when our organisation was first conceived have become more important than we might have imagined, as well.
These are very difficult and challenging times. We find ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic the likes of which has not been seen in more than a century. Everywhere around us, there is the reason for concern, from lives, being lost to economies being devastated. But it is also a time for hope, for courage, for us to rise to new heights.
It is time for all of us to elevate the social impact work we do and accelerate the pace and increase the impact of our work together. Not just to keep up with the challenges that come with changing times, but to be leaders of change — to ensure that a better world will emerge from all this uncertainty.
With these important issues in our minds and this important time in human history deep in our heads and hearts, we are pleased to (re)introduce you to WINGS.
The same organisation that you have always known, deeply rooted in the same mission and vision that created Worldwide Initiatives In Grantmaker Support 20 years ago. But an organisation that is ready to rise. A new look and an expanded vision – both updated to reflect changing times.
The field of philanthropy is expanding and diversifying and WINGS recognises philanthropy as encompassing a wide variety of forms of allocation of private resources for the common good. The ongoing challenge is to ensure that the philanthropy development ecosystem is itself diverse enough to support the contemporary field of philanthropy.
WINGS will therefore strive to usher in a new era by gaining more visibility and reach for philanthropy support organisations. We will strengthen our own voice and capacity to advocate by expanding our scope to represent all the actors involved in the promotion of philanthropy, including individual giving and social investment. WINGS will work to catalyse, accelerate, connect and influence the field of philanthropy support in order to promote and develop philanthropy and contribute to a more effective and diverse civil society.
We now see ourselves, our network, as a community of thought leaders and changemakers who are committed to ensuring philanthropy, will reach its fullest potential as a catalyst for social progress. We are driven by a hunger to discover new paths to progress. We are resolute in our commitment to end inertia, break down silos and create an enabling environment for philanthropy to flourish. Our goal is to create collaborations and ignite potential — to rally philanthropic actors everywhere to build the world we all want to see.
We now articulate what we do through three strategic imperatives which, together, offer the greatest potential for creating lasting systemic change.
COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE
WINGS is a hub of critical thinking and practical experience. We ensure philanthropic actors around the world have the best information, the most effective models for social progress, and access to the most impactful collaborations and partnerships.
STRENGTHENING ECOSYSTEMS
Our diverse community of members afford us the unique ability to understand where systems can be strengthened and better integrated — ensuring the whole is always greater than the sum of the parts.
ADVOCACY AND POLICY
Our global membership gives us the agency to overcome the philosophical, structural and legal barriers that impede philanthropy’s ability to succeed, and can even malign its core intent. We advocate for creating an enabling environment for philanthropic work to flourish and we build bridges by encouraging collaboration and dialogue between actors and development funders, including governments.
Our membership has begun to include funders of infrastructure, social businesses, philanthropy media, fundraisers’ associations and impact investing advisors, among others, reflecting a diverse new landscape. The geographic diversity of the WINGS network continues to expand too, ensuring that all philanthropic cultures and forms are actively benefiting from and contributing to our global community of philanthropy developers.
Together with all of you, we aim to grow and transform the field of philanthropy to be more diverse, dynamic and inclusive. To build a world in which philanthropy achieves its highest potential as a catalyst for the transformative social change necessary to build a more just, equitable and sustainable society.
We have long moved on from only being a network of grantmaker support organisations. But while we outgrew our acronym a long time ago, we have only just begun to grow into the promise of the name WINGS. We are truly excited to be on this journey with you: to elevate philanthropy in all its forms everywhere in the world. Welcome to the new WINGS.
By Benjamin Bellegy, Executive Director, WINGS.