In a time of shifting funding landscapes, growing societal pressure, and rapid technological change, the role of philanthropic foundations is being fundamentally reconsidered. The 2025 annual report of Dioraphte, “Wat deze tijd vraagt”, offers a clear perspective: philanthropy can no longer be just about giving money — it must be about shaping systems, building relationships, and acting with both impact and empathy.

One of the key drivers behind this shift is the changing global context. Major cuts in international aid — including the cancellation of a large share of USAID contracts — have had ripple effects across sectors such as healthcare, education, and civil society. At the same time, public funding is under pressure closer to home.

This reality is forcing philanthropy to step into new roles. According to Dioraphte’s director, the traditional view of philanthropy as “giving from surplus” is no longer sufficient. Instead, the sector is moving toward collective responsibility — where foundations, communities, governments, and citizens work together to address complex challenges.

The report highlights a clear shift from transactional grantmaking to long-term partnerships. Dioraphte increasingly invests in multi-year funding, reduces bureaucratic barriers, and emphasizes trust-based relationships with partners.

This approach reflects a broader trend: meaningful change takes time. Short-term project funding is often insufficient to address structural issues such as poverty, inequality, or access to healthcare.

Balancing impact and empathy

A central tension in modern philanthropy lies between two approaches:

Rationalisation — investing based on measurable impact and data

Humanisation — acting from empathy, intuition, and lived experience

Dioraphte argues these are not competing approaches, but complementary ones. Effective philanthropy requires both: evidence-driven decisions and a deep understanding of human realities.

Giving communities a voice

Another key insight is the growing importance of involving communities directly in decision-making. The report stresses that solutions are more effective when shaped by those who experience the challenges firsthand — “society knows what society needs.”

This is reflected in projects supported by Dioraphte. For example, initiatives tackling poverty in Rotterdam rely heavily on input from people with lived experience, influencing policy discussions and system-level solutions.

Philanthropy is also under increasing scrutiny. Questions about transparency, governance, and the origins of wealth are becoming more prominent. Dioraphte acknowledges this and highlights the need for clearer communication and accountability within the sector.

The role of technology

The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping how proposals are written and assessed. While AI enables more efficient processes, it also raises questions about bias, representation, and the reliability of data-driven narratives.

A broader definition of philanthropy

Perhaps the most important takeaway: philanthropy is no longer limited to financial contributions. It includes time, knowledge, networks, and engagement.

This broader perspective is especially relevant for younger generations, who are eager to contribute but do not always identify with traditional models of giving.

A call for collaboration

Ultimately, the report makes a strong case for collaboration across sectors. Foundations are no longer just funders — they are partners, connectors, and sometimes even advocates for systemic change.

In a time of uncertainty, one message stands out:
the challenges may be growing, but so is the opportunity for philanthropy to become more meaningful, inclusive, and impactful.