Key findings:

• Over 65% of our surveyed next-generation philanthropists in the Middle East consider education to be a top philanthropic priority.
• Female philanthropists in our next-generation sample show a distinctive pattern of giving to empower women and girls. When women are not decision-makers on funding, women and girls are much less likely to be supported.
• 80% of surveyed next-generation givers are engaging in their philanthropy personally and individually.
• Over 45% of next-generation philanthropists surveyed are open to employing non-traditional giving methods, such as impact investing, microlending, and donor-advised funding.
• Over 35% of next-generation givers find co-funding to be impactful and almost 35% believe that partnering with other organizations is an effective giving strategy.
• On average, respondents dedicate US$ 50,001-100,000 every year to their philanthropic activities.

Keywords: Next-generation philanthropy; giving; family foundations; family offices; female philanthropists; new giving methods; collaborative funding; Middle East

Read full report.

Over the last six months, I have had the absolute privilege of basking in the wisdom, experiences, and curiosity of a very vibrant, intelligent, and thoughtful community of next- generation philanthropists from or living in the Middle East. Through an expansive survey exploring why, how, and where they give, the teams at the Zovighian Partnership and Pearl Initiative heard from a diverse group of 83 next-generation givers at different stages of their philanthropic journeys. This report captures everything we learned from them.

To the friends, peers, and collaborators who joined us in this important research endeavor, I offer my deepest thanks for providing a window into how next-generation philanthropists are reimagining philanthropy, engaging in unique ways of giving back, and striving to build a safer, more peaceful, and thriving world.

As a philanthropist, I am deeply moved and inspired by what our community of givers can achieve in these extraordinarily difficult times of crisis, conflict, and genocide. Of all the insights I have gained from analyzing this data, the most powerful and inspiring is that the Middle East is awash in the generosity and care of many people who are deeply invested in its future and well-being. That commitment comes with the burden of responsibility and a moral imperative to do philanthropy not just well, but brilliantly. That is what our communities and causes deserve, and in this report, you will find that we have a generation that is on a special journey to bring out the region’s highest potential.

All of us at the Zovighian Partnership are very happy to have co-funded this research project with the Pearl Initiative and the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It is a joy to publish this unique treasure chest of information in Arabic and English. I sincerely hope that it equips our next-generation of givers and funders with meaningful insights and empowers them to achieve new heights in their giving journeys.

Lynn Zovighian

Co-founder, Zovighian Partnership Founder, Zovighian Public Office

For Arabic, click here.