Exploring a Centre for Global Philanthropy at Green Templeton

A steering group composed of fellows and staff of Green Templeton has been exploring the possibility of establishing a Centre for Global Philanthropy at the college. Such a Centre would constitute one of the centres of academic excellence proposed as part of the college’s academic strategy.

As currently imagined, the prospective Centre would focus on generating, analysing, contextualising, and communicating trusted, high-quality evidence to reshape philanthropy around the world to address urgent societal challenges. By engaging with key stakeholders – funders, non-profits, governments, academics, civil society, and beneficiaries – the prospective Centre would employ a transdisciplinary approach to turn academic research into actionable strategies, and propose innovative methods to improve the effectiveness of philanthropy.

Principal Sir Michael Dixon, who leads the steering group, notes:

‘The idea of the Centre is becoming embedded in the University of Oxford with support from senior leaders and interdisciplinary academics in business, children’s rights, climate, education, health, public policy and social policy.

‘We have received positive feedback from trusts, foundations, corporations, and individual philanthropists around the world and are actively exploring pilot programs.’

Philanthropy was the subject of the Green Templeton Lectures 2022. Those lectures featured Josh Yates on ‘Unlocking the benefits of venture philanthropy’, Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen on co-impact philanthropy and Rory Stewart on the case for direct cash transfers

The steering group has recently put together a fundraising prospectus.

If you are interested to find out more please get in touch with Dr Pete Jordan at peter.jordan@gtc.ox.ac.uk