A Philanthropic Theory of Systems Transformation for Advancing Equity in the Polycrisis

This article argues “that intervening to mitigate and reverse the effects of the polycrisis challenges change agents, program designers, foundations, and evaluators to move beyond traditional project-level thinking and autonomous foundation grantmaking to engage in collaborative, principles-driven systems transformation.” They trace the evolution of philanthropy over the past 25 years from SMART goals and logic models to theories of change to theories of philanthropy to philanthropic alliance-making to systems transformation. The latter requires “operating across silos, sectors, and specialized interests, connecting local efforts with global initiatives, and nurturing systems regeneration and resilience for a more equitable and sustainable world.” Amidst the complexity and uncertainty of the polycrisis, standardized steps and general instructions will not suffice; transformational efforts must be guided by principles that foster adaptability and inclusion.