At this year’s International Fundraising Congress (IFC), the theme of “bridge” emerged repeatedly—not as a metaphor for money, but for connection. The conference highlighted that the gap between NGOs and donors remains wide, with interactions often limited to compliance reports and performance metrics. Experts emphasized that fundraising should move beyond transactions to foster trust, curiosity, and shared learning, transforming it into a bridge that enables meaningful collaboration.
Melody Song, Climate KIC’s Head of Philanthropy, addressed the sector’s ingrained biases, noting that for decades the narrative has positioned the Global North as giver and the Global South as receiver. This framing affects budgeting, impact measurement, and meeting structures, often sidelining local leadership. The conference encouraged treating fundraising as a shared act of imagination, focusing on equal partnerships and co-creation rather than charity.
Data presented at IFC painted a picture of both turbulence and opportunity. Global private-sector fundraising grew just 1.4% in 2024, even as wealth increased globally. Trust in NGOs is declining in many countries, donor participation is shrinking, and growth remains concentrated in a few regions such as the USA, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. Yet Asia is emerging as a key contributor, with markets like China, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia showing steady growth and increased local high-net-worth giving. These trends suggest that while generosity is transforming, the sector must adapt to shifting power and influence.
Sessions like “Systems Thinking for Impact,” led by Melody Song and Solla Zophoniasdóttir, encouraged participants to examine the mental models underlying how change is funded. Attendees were urged to think beyond individual projects and consider the systems they operate within, fostering curiosity and humility. Systems thinking highlighted the importance of understanding interconnections, asking what the system needs rather than just how to fund specific initiatives.
The human side of power was another key discussion point. Song emphasized the importance of “calling in” rather than “calling out,” focusing on equity and inclusion while meeting people where they are. Power exists not only in controlling resources but also in defining what counts as impact, whose knowledge is recognized, and whose stories are amplified. Bridging divides between funders and practitioners can soften barriers and promote collective learning.
Looking ahead, the global fundraising landscape is shifting. NGOs face growing pressure to maintain income amid declining public funding and waning trust in institutions. However, the current moment presents an opportunity to rebuild relationships based on listening, shared purpose, and transparency. Fundraising should be approached not as extraction but as exchange, not as competition but as co-creation, strengthening collaboration across regions and disciplines.
At Climate KIC, this approach continues through the Climate KIC Academy, where funders, innovators, and policymakers develop the skills and shared language needed for systemic thinking and collaboration. Ultimately, the conference underscored that building bridges through fundraising is not just about securing resources—it is central to driving transformative change.
