The retraction of American foreign aid, the dismantling of USAID, and the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization have not merely created funding gaps, they have fractured the institutional scaffolding that the world built, over decades, to protect human health. For Australia, this global crisis arrives at a moment when our own domestic research funding is under quiet but serious pressure. The confluence of these forces makes one thing clear: philanthropy in health and medical research is no longer a generous supplement to government investment. It is an urgent necessity.

Earlier this year, Jean Sung had the honour of speaking before social workers, practitioners and cross-generational leaders of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, an institution with over seven decades of deep-rooted commitment to community care and social welfare. The challenges we face today, be it inequality, sustainability, or social resilience, are not short-term problems. They cannot be solved through isolated efforts or episodic generosity. They demand something more deliberate and intentional.

Global Philanthropic is pleased to announce that Jean Sung has joined its main board as a Non-Executive Director, effective 11th December 2025.

Jean is one of the most experienced philanthropic leaders in Asia, with a career spanning private wealth, corporate philanthropy, and cross-sector collaboration. This is a strategic and critical appointment for Global Philanthropic as the organisation continues to strengthen and grow its presence across Asia, a region of profound philanthropic ambition, complexity and opportunity.

How can the largest wealth transfer in history shape a better future for all? In his opening address at the Talking Philanthropy 2024 forum, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, spoke about the extraordinary opportunity presented by the largest wealth transfer in history, highlighting how, if used wisely, it could address global challenges.

Talking Philanthropy 2024 has been a forum of truly remarkable conversations, uniting brightest minds, passionate philanthropists, and dedicated leaders from across the world.

Reflecting on the incredible discussions, I am reminded of the amazing amount of work that goes into making such an event possible. My deepest gratitude to Lady Edwina Grosvenor for her unwavering support, our incredible partners and guest speakers, and the phenomenal Global Philanthropic team who made this extraordinary event a reality.

We are thrilled to announce that Cindy Forde has joined Global Philanthropic's main board as a Non-Executive Director. Cindy brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, particularly in the fields of environmental sustainability and education. She is the founder of Planetari, an organisation dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation to create a thriving world that lives in harmony with nature.

The escalating impacts of climate change, nature loss and pollution are pushing the boundaries of our legal system and climate litigation is increasingly being filed around the world by private and public actors alike. In the face of this triple planetary crisis, judges, as custodians of justice, find themselves adapting, innovating, and leading in unprecedented ways.

Read more about what our client, ClientEarth, one of the world’s most ambitious organisations, has been doing to address this.

On International Women's Day 2024, our latest Global 20 interview offers a timely reflection on the ongoing struggle for gender equality and celebrates the transformative efforts of women like Srishti Bakshi.

In this interview, Srishti sheds light on her remarkable journey in women's rights activism. The narrative unfolds with Srishti’s decision to leave corporate success behind and embark on a 3800km trek across India, championing equity for women globally. Her innovative use of art and digital media, including the creation of the award-winning documentary 'Women Of My Billion', underscores the power of technology in amplifying philanthropic initiatives. Delve into the full interview to uncover the depth of Srishti's narrative and explore the transformative potential of digital philanthropy.

The Grosvenor Family are no strangers to philanthropy. With a longstanding track record of supporting charitable initiatives throughout their history, they continue to provide long term sustainable help and opportunities throughout the world.

Lady Edwina Grosvenor, sister of the 7th Duke of Westminster is a passionate advocate for prison reform and founder and Chair of One Small Thing, an organisation that aims to redesign the justice system. Her extensive philanthropic work most recently saw the opening of Hope Street in June 2023, a safe space for women to serve their sentences in the community alongside their children.

We are therefore delighted to announce that Lady Edwina has been appointed Chair of Global Philanthropic’s Advisory Board with immediate effect.

This thought-provoking Global 20 interview with Dr Ruth A Shapiro, Co-founder and CEO of Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS), provides a comprehensive overview of Asian philanthropy, its unique characteristics, challenges, and the potential it holds for shaping a sustainable future.

The conversation delves into the unique aspects of Asian philanthropy, including the strong influence of government and the significant role of family businesses. The community-centric approach of Asian philanthropists, focusing on relationships and addressing specific community needs, is discussed in fascinating detail.