Beyond Giving: Philanthropy as a Platform for Dialogue

How can philanthropy create opportunities for people to meet, exchange perspectives and find common ground? This question guided the latest Founders Circle, dedicated to the theme “Beyond giving: Philanthropy as a platform for dialogue”.

Welcoming 15 participants representing 10 foundations under our aegis, Tonika Hirdman, Director General of the Fondation de Luxembourg, reflected on the role philanthropists can play in building bridges within society. Drawing on the Fondation’s broad perspective across its hosted foundations, she highlighted the importance of creating spaces for dialogue in a context of increasing polarisation and fewer opportunities for people with different perspectives to meet. This begins with founders’ own willingness to listen, question their assumptions and speak openly about the challenges they face.

The Fondation Verso, represented by its co-founders Franca Fabbri and Micaela Badiali, opened the exchange by sharing the foundation's story and the evolution of its approach. From an initial focus on education, its work has expanded to include training and support for educators, with particular attention to self-esteem and personal development. This experience offered a starting point for exploring how a foundation’s approach can evolve through a deeper understanding of the people and needs it seeks to support.

Participants then explored common questions arising from their philanthropic commitments. Promoting integration emerged as a central theme, alongside the challenge of finding shared points of reference among people with different backgrounds and experiences. The discussion considered how foundations can bring people together in ways that encourage mutual understanding.

These questions also resonated with participants’ experiences of working with young people. The exchange explored how to equip the next generation with the confidence to ask questions and engage with the world around them, while strengthening connections and passing on knowledge between generations. Participants also reflected on how listening to others can lead founders to reconsider their own perspectives and approaches.

By bringing together foundations with similar missions, the Founders Circle provides an opportunity to explore shared concerns, learn from one another and bring new perspectives to each founder’s philanthropic engagement.