WINGS is the only worldwide network representing and serving the broad community of grantmakers, foundations and philanthropy-support organisations.

WINGS was formed in 1999 by the merger of an earlier network of community foundation support organisations and the International Meeting of Associations Serving Grantmakers (IMAG), and we have served as a catalyst in global philanthropy ever since.

We strive to give voice and visibility to philanthropy on a global level, and to play a clear role in influencing and reflecting the development of philanthropy within a global context. Philanthropy associations have been forming with greater frequency in recent times. WINGS is an advocate, information broker, convener and advisor to grantmaker associations and philanthropy support organisations.

Mission

WINGS is a global network of grantmaker associations and philanthropic support organisations. WINGS strengthens, promotes and provides leadership on the development of philanthropy and social investment around the world. WINGS gives voice to the many cultures of giving and provides its members and other participants with information, knowledge, and peer exchange.

Our vision is of a strong, global philanthropic community that strives to build more equitable and just societies around the world.

History

WINGS was incorporated as a not-for-profit public charity in the United States in 2011, and the secretariat was moved to its permanent home in São Paulo, Brazil, that same year. Prior to incorporation, WINGS did not invest in a highly formalised institutional structure, but rather worked through its members, serviced by a small secretariat that was hosted, in turns, by member organisations in North America, Europe and Asia. The move to the Global South was strategic, both in terms of representing a surge in philanthropy development in Brazil, and providing a central location from which to coordinate efforts in Latin America, as well as continue efforts in Asia and Africa.

photo: The 1998 IMAG event led to the creation of WINGS

WINGS came about from a combined effort between the Council on Foundations (COF) International Committee and Community Foundations of Canada (CFC). In 1998, the COF-inspired International Meeting of Associations Serving Grantmakers (IMAG) in Oaxaca, Mexico, brought together philanthropy professionals from 25 countries to engage in skills enhancement programming.

Later that year, CFC hosted an event in Miami, Florida, that focused on organisations that support community foundations. Both the COF and CFC explored ways to build networks following their respective events, which led to larger discussions around creating one network to achieve shared goals, and finally to the formation of WINGS. See the timeline below for more of our history and get acquainted with or network participants here.

Global Context

Philanthropy is at a dynamic stage, growing and gaining visibility around the world. There are new actors and new approaches to giving. New technology, new leaders and new money have sparked fundamental changes in the field. Meanwhile the changing roles of the public and private sectors, together with the growing compassion and commitment of individuals, have provided countless opportunities for creating and utilizing private capital. But these new opportunities bring new challenges. The rapidly changing global philanthropy scenario makes the task of building a global infrastructure for philanthropy an urgent one.

Managing complex interventions and being involved with different sectors, players and interests constitutes an ongoing challenge for grantmakers. In many countries, public policy hinders the full development of philanthropy, and measuring effectiveness remains a challenge. As a result, foundations are relying more on philanthropy support organisations and networks of grantmakers to strengthen sector infrastructure. These networks have expertise in convening key players, representing the field, and establishing codes of conduct and best practices.

We recognise the strength in partnerships, which is why we're committed to collaborating with other organisations. We build relationships in infrastructure, policy, research and practice areas. In 2010 we worked closely with The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) to produce the Global Report on Institutional Philanthropy, and in 2011 we began a joint project with the Foundation Center to build a global data collection system that promotes data standards for philanthropy.

As a membership association comprised of membership associations, the WINGS global network strives to advance the work of philanthropy support and leadership by building relationships in infrastructure, policy, research and practice areas. To inform a strategic plan and prioritise accordingly, we consulted WINGS network participants during WINGSForum 2010. Building on successful activities from previous years, the plan's aim was to transform WINGS into a resource for philanthropy support organisations and grantmaker associations worldwide, and has since been updated to reflect an evolving mission and programmatic focus.

View the PDF version of WINGS Strategic Planning for 2011-2014 here.

WINGSForum

Held every four years, WINGSForum has become a premier event in the global philanthropy community. Focused on identifying and developing new innovations in the sector, WINGSForum was designed as a peer learning experience where philanthropy leaders could share practical lessons and inspiration from their work. To this day the event is regarded by participants as a valuable opportunity for professional development, relationship building and knowledge sharing. WINGSForum 2014 will be held in Istanbul, Turkey. Visit the WINGSForum page for more.

Recent Milestones and Timeline

In collaboration with the Foundation Center, WINGS hosted an invitation-only meeting in Rio de Janeiro in February 2013. The Rio meeting brought together 24 individuals from every region of the world who share an interest in or a responsibility for the collection and analysis of data on philanthropy. It was the first in a series of Global Consultations on Philanthropy Data that will engage stakeholders in a discussion about the key principles and a common vision for data collection on philanthropy across the globe.

The aim is for the creation and support of a Global Charter on Data in Philanthropy. We hosted a webinar a month later to continue the consultation process, which not only provided a way to catch up with discussions, but also gave everyone, including Rio meeting participants, a chance to give further input. The hourlong presentation had a lively discussion on the positive aspects of the charter, as well as areas where it can be improved. Participant feedback will help us shape the current draft as it moves closer to creating a truly global data charter.

In April, WINGS co-hosted a Special Policy Dialogue with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UNDP, UNDESA, and the OECD Global Network of Foundations Working for Development (net-FWD). The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders in the sector to discuss new ideas for advancing global development beyond the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 2015 target date.