A new report titled “Five Agendas to Drive the Transformation of the Philanthropic Sector in Latin America and the Caribbean,” supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and produced by The Resource Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, highlights the urgent need to reshape philanthropy across the region. The study finds that despite growing social and economic needs, philanthropic giving in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) remains significantly lower than in other parts of the world. It estimates that mobilizing just 1% of the region’s private wealth could generate over USD 5 billion annually for social development — an amount comparable to the total international aid currently received by the region.
The report identifies key structural challenges, including limited strategic investment, public distrust, and a lack of coordination. It argues that philanthropy in LAC must evolve from short-term charity toward long-term, systemic change. According to The Rockefeller Foundation’s Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, Lyana Latorre, the region has vast untapped potential for transformative philanthropy capable of addressing structural inequalities and driving sustainable impact.
Despite increasing inequality — with the richest 10% earning 12 times more than the poorest 10% — and rising poverty rates affecting about 270 million people, the report emphasizes that philanthropic culture in LAC is still informal and underdeveloped. Donations account for only 0.2–0.3% of GDP, far below levels in developed economies such as the U.S. or Canada. Climate vulnerabilities and a reduction in global aid further heighten the need for local philanthropic innovation and collaboration.
Trust remains a major barrier, with only 27% of Latin Americans expressing confidence in NGOs, leading to untracked and uncoordinated “silent philanthropy.” Yet, there is a strong public demand for measurable impact — with 78% of Latin Americans supporting international cooperation if it delivers tangible results. The Rockefeller Foundation’s Executive Vice President, Elizabeth Yee, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting regional partners in building more resilient and equitable communities.
To address these challenges, the report proposes five strategic agendas for transforming philanthropy in the region: fostering cross-sector collaboration; mobilizing local financial resources; promoting purpose-driven investments; empowering local leadership; and professionalizing the philanthropic sector. Drawing on input from over 70 regional leaders and more than 40 research studies, the report calls for a collective effort to align philanthropy with local needs and opportunities.
Beatriz Guillén, Executive Director of The Resource Foundation, emphasized that the region’s philanthropic potential lies not in a lack of wealth or talent but in the need to activate them with purpose. She urged stakeholders to view philanthropy not as charity but as a strategic tool for development, capable of driving meaningful and lasting change across Latin America and the Caribbean.
