Philanthropy Academy

Leveraging our 20+ years of expertise, our UBS Philanthropy team and network will empower you to approach your philanthropic giving with a more strategic lens.

About

Are you looking to make a real difference in the world through your philanthropy, but aren’t sure where to turn next? Our Philanthropy Academy offers the knowledge and tools you need to become a more effective change-maker.

Through our philanthropy experts, who have the unique perspective of working in or with the UBS Optimus Foundation, you’ll learn how to create strategies that align with your vales and goals, measure the impact of your donations and investments and much more.

If eligible for membership, you’ll also be offered the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in our Global Philanthropists Community and build a network of change-makers who are also committed to having a positive impact in the world.

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Modules

01

Embrace your philanthropy

What is philanthropic impact and how to achieve it?

Successful philanthropists must first understand what impact really means in order to get started. Further, it is crucial to know the value of philanthropy and be aware that not all philanthropy is good.

This module looks at the core values: philanthropy and impact.

Lesson 1: Having impact with my wealth – deep dive in philanthropy

Expert: Phyllis Kurlander Costanza
Learning outcomes: You’ll learn how you can drive the change you want to see as individuals or as family, as entrepreneurs, as philanthropists, or as investors.
Class length: 14.12 minutes

Lesson 2: Avoiding more harm than good

Expert: Phyllis Kurlander Costanza
Learning outcomes: You’ll understand that not all philanthropy is good – like with investments, some generate great social returns, others can not only lose money but even make problems worse.
Class length: 17.13 minutes

Lesson 3: Making sure I have an impact

Expert: Tom Hall
Learning outcomes: You’ll learn the terms inputs, outputs and outcomes!
Class length: 17.58 minutes

02

Plan your philanthropy

Where do I and my family want to have impact?

Once you have understood the fundamentals of philanthropy it is time to really sit down and plan your philanthropic approach. This module helps you to find your true passion, formulate a vison, decide on an approach and develop a strategy.

Module Plan

  • Understanding my values and finding my true passion
  • Forming my vision and defining my objectives
  • Approaching my philanthropy effectively – introducing the 6s framework

Lesson 1: Finding my passion and forming my vision

Expert: Grégorie Muhr
Learning outcomes: You’ll learn to understand ‘why’ having a clear vision is the foundation of effective philanthropy, Learn ‘what’ makes a good vision and find out ‘how’ to shape your vision by yourself or together with your family
Class length: 10.45 minutes

Lesson 2: Choosing an approach and setting my goals

Expert: Grégorie Muhr
Learning outcomes: You’ll get support in taking your next stepa in the planning of your philanthropy by understanding; how to decide on an approach; how to define your mission; and how to set up your philanthropic goals.
Class length: 16.31 minutes

Lesson 3: Mapping a theory of change and developing my strategy

Expert: Grégorie Muhr and Nalini Tarakeshwar
Learning outcomes: You’ll learn the four steps and some tips to help you develop your strategy including, how you can get a better understanding of the issue using a problem tree; how to conduct a landscape analysis; how to choose your course of action by developing a theory of change; and how to map out your logic chain which summarizes in a simple and effective way how your intervention is supposed to work.
Class length: 24.15 minutes

Lesson 4: Approaching my philanthropy more effectively – introducing the 6s framework

Expert: Tom Hall
Learning outcomes: You’ll learn why you should aim for strategic philanthropy as opposed to charitable giving; what strategic philanthropy looks like; and how you can approach your philanthropy strategically by applying the 6-s framework
Class length: 20.31 minutes

03

Start your philanthropy

How do I implement my philanthropic strategy?

Once you have defined your philanthropic strategy it is time to turn your plan into actions. This module takes you through the process of identifying and assessing the right opportunities for your giving approach by choosing the right philanthropic vehicle.

Further, the module introduces Family philanthropy - a way of bringing together family members around a philanthropic project and bridging generations.

Module Plan

  • Involving my family and understanding next generation philanthropy (incl. FO & practical example)
  • Engaging the next generation
  • Identifying and assessing opportunities
  • Choosing a philanthropic vehicle to maximize my impact

Lesson 1: Engaging in philanthropy with my family: for parents who want to engage their children

Expert: Liz Cribbs
Learning outcomes: Giving together can be an expression of a common family purpose and stay connected. In this class we will look at why you should involve your family in philanthropy, look at the first steps in how to involve them and how to actually get started.
Class length: 8:32 minutes

Available only to members of the Global Philanthropists Community

Lesson 2: Engaging in philanthropy with my family: for children who want to engage their parents

Expert: Julie Binder
Learning outcomes: In this class you will learn how to seek involvement in your family philanthropy, what roles and responsibilities the rising generation can take on, and learn how to innovate while still honouring the spirit of your family’s giving. 
Class length: 9.54 minutes

Available only to members of the Global Philanthropists Community

Lesson 3: Identifying and assessing opportunities

Expert: Martina Gaus
Learning outcomes: In this class you’ll learn why you should have a clear identification and selection process, how to find great projects and organizations and how to assess them and ask the right questions to find out whether they’re the right fit for you.
Class length: 19:19 minutes

Available only to members of the Global Philanthropists Community

Lesson 4: Choosing the right philanthropic vehicle to maximize your impact

Expert: Nicole Sebastian
Learning outcomes: In this class you’ll understand the ‘why’ of considering a philanthropic vehicle to enable your existing philanthropic plan, learn what the different types of philanthropic vehicles are, and discover how to choose the vehicle that best suits your needs.
Class length: 12:00 minutes

Available only to members of the Global Philanthropists Community

04

Measure your impact

How do I implement my philanthropic strategy?

This module introduces the importance of measuring and evaluating your philanthropic impact. And how it can give you the biggest possible bang for your philanthropic buck.

Further, the module introduces Family philanthropy - a way of bringing together family members around a philanthropic project and bridging generations.

Module Plan

  • Measuring my philanthropic impact – why it matters?
  • Setting the stage for measuring impact – Theory of Change Model
  • Collecting and analyzing data
  • Learning, improving, repeating

05

Invest in social finance

How to tap into outcomes-based funding?

If we really want to achieve development goals that are measurable and scalable, we need to harness the power of the private sector. And social and blended finance are key to getting us there.

This module introduces the concept of social finance and will explore the unique opportunity of combining financial sophistication and knowhow with good intentions

Module Plan

  • Introducing social finance
  • Defining the right social finance strategy
  • Combining public or philanthropic funds with private sector funds – an introduction into blended finance

06

Pursue collective impact

How to engage with others?

Philanthropy doesn’t have to be an isolated undertaking. Connecting individuals around strategic aspiration, practice and collective impact is the future of philanthropic funding.

This module looks at the landscape of collective philanthrophy and highlights how you can come together for greater impact.

Module Plan

  • Having collective impact – ‘why’ to engage with others
  • Driving change together – ‘how’ to engage with others
  • Joining forces in a ‘collective impact’ approach – a practical example

07

Raise funds

How can you raise funds?

For many wealthy individuals, making money comes naturally. But learning how to give it away, in an effective, strategic, impactful manner is for most a complex undertaking. This module aims to help make this journey simpler.

Module Plan

  • Shaping your narrative
  • Mapping your needs
  • Addressing donors
  • Curating relationships

Experts

Tom Hall

Head of UBS Social Impact and Global Philanthropy Services

Grégorie Muhr

Head of Collective Impact and Insights, UBS

Maya Ziswiler

CEO UBS Optimus Foundation

Sarah Salomon

Head, Family Advisory & Philanthropy Services, Americas

Nalini Tarakeshwar

Head of Programs, Monitoring and Evaluations UBS Optimus Foundation

Phyllis Kurlander Costanza

Social Impact entrepreneur and Founder of OutcomesX

Martina Gaus

Head of Strategic Partnerships, UBS Optimus Foundation

Elizabeth Cribbs

Senior Strategist, Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services Americas

Nicole Sebastian

Senior Strategist, Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services Americas

Julie Binder

Senior Strategist, Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services Americas

Dhun Davar

Head Social Impact & Philanthropy IN & MEA, Head Social Finance

FAQ