Rethinking Funding Flows: Power, Proximity, and Equity

​Too often, global aid flows through intermediaries in ways that dilute impact and distance resources from the communities they are meant to serve. Collaborative funds and pooled models offer a new approach — one that is more proximate, more equitable, and better at getting money into the hands of locally-led organizations tackling urgent issues like climate change. But how do we design funding flows that avoid reproducing the same inequities?

This session will challenge the myth that locally-led organizations are “over-capacitated and underfunded.” The reality: funding and visibility concentrate in a small group of well-recognized local actors, while countless others never get a chance. What’s needed is not just more capacity-building, but greater access, visibility, and trust in a wider field of proximate leaders.

Speakers

• ​Ben Clark — Group Impact Adviser at The Phillips Foundation, overseeing philanthropic and impact investments across Australia, Asia, and Africa.

• ​Ly Tran — Director, Asia Pacific at Myriad USA, leading regional strategy and growth for global philanthropic giving.

• ​Tom Sessions — Independent fundraising and partnerships advisor supporting proximate African leaders to navigate philanthropy and mobilise resources for locally owned solution

​What to Expect

• ​Debunk harmful myths – Examine the narrative of “over-capacitated” local orgs and surface the real barriers of access and visibility.

• ​Explore new models – Discuss how collaborative funds and intermediaries can channel resources more equitably and effectively.

• ​Center proximate voices – Learn directly from leaders who are fundraising and implementing solutions in their own communities.

• ​Co-create better practices – Identify practical steps funders and intermediaries can take to shift power and resources.

​Why Join?

• ​Rethink the role of intermediaries in global funding flows.

• ​Learn how collaborative funds can accelerate climate and social justice solutions.

• ​Gain insights on how locally-led organizations can amplify visibility and fundraising capacity.

• ​Contribute to shaping more equitable funding ecosystems.

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Who Should Attend?

• ​Funders and donors interested in more proximate, equity-centered giving.

• ​Intermediaries and collaborative funds seeking better practices

• ​Locally-led organizations navigating visibility, access, and fundraising challenges.

• ​Anyone committed to shifting power and resources toward those closest to the issues.