TRANSFORM! Empowering philanthropy as catalytic partners for transformational change

In today’s world of shrinking state budgets, overstretched civil society, and overlapping social and climate crises, partnership-building is no longer optional—it is essential. Whether accelerating the transition to renewable energy; developing resilient, regenerative supply chains; strengthening health systems; building inclusive economies; or safeguarding democratic spaces—multi-sector partnerships are key to driving the transition to a sustainable and resilient future.

Traditional grant-making alone cannot meet the scale or complexity of the challenges we face, yet philanthropy is uniquely positioned to spark bold collaboration, unite diverse stakeholders, and champion innovation where others may hesitate.

TRANSFORM! is a global initiative designed to empower foundations to become catalytic partners in transformational change. By equipping philanthropic organisations with the mindset, tools, and institutional capabilities to catalyse cross-sector partnerships, TRANSFORM! helps unlock deep, systemic change.

The power of partnerships for transformational impact

Multi-sector partnerships (MSPs) offer a powerful mechanism for transformational change. By aligning and leveraging the distinct strengths of diverse actors—public institutions, private enterprise, civil society, communities, and investors—MSPs can unlock solutions that no single sector could achieve alone.

Transformational MSPs use these levers to shift systems from unsustainable or inequitable states to ones that are more just, resilient, and self-sustaining—economically, socially, and environmentally. They tackle root causes, embed scalable innovations, and leave behind lasting impact with minimal need for ongoing external support. When designed for long-term viability—whether through commercial sustainability or integration into public systems—MSPs can deliver transformation that traditional, single-sector approaches simply cannot.

• Public sector: policy, regulation, infrastructure, and sovereign financing

• Private sector: innovation, investment, and scalable business models

• NGOs: technical expertise, capacity building, and social capital

• Communities: lived experience, local leadership, and legitimacy

• Philanthropy: flexible funding, convening, risk taking, learning

• Investors: catalytic and long-term financing

Unlocking the unique potential of philanthropy

TPI’s recent report on Public-private-philanthropy partnerships (PPPPs) showcases this potential across a wide range of societal challenges—from just energy transitions and regenerative supply chains to community-owned healthcare and innovative rural infrastructure models.

But these partnerships don’t emerge spontaneously. They require visionary thinking, collaborative leadership, and sustained commitment.

Philanthropy has a unique role to play in transformational change—able to take risks, convene diverse actors, catalyse innovation, and use flexible funding to unlock investment at scale. Yet, a recent sector-wide assessment conducted by TPI, WINGS and Philea reveals a significant gap between ambition and operational readiness.

While 84% of foundations see multi-sector collaboration as essential to achieving their future goals, and 59% already engage with MSPs, the data highlights critical barriers to realising the power of philanthropy for transformational change:

66% struggle to commit resources over the extended timeframes transformational change demands

Only 16% have internal partnering guidance to support collaboration

Just 20% have staff trained in professional partnering competencies

Critically, fewer than 50% of philanthropic foundations feel confident working with government or the private sector.

There is an urgent need to build foundations’ institutional partnering capability.

The TRANSFORM! initiative

The TRANSFORM! initiative combines the proven partnering methodologies of TPI, with WINGS’ leadership in driving new approaches to philanthropy and Philea’s support to foundations in Europe to deliver transformational change .

TRANSFORM! empowers foundations to become catalytic partners in transformational change.