ABSTRACT
As global developmental agenda, including the sustainable development goals, begin to shift more purposefully towards being operational, key decisions are being made on how to best access new portals of developmental finance in the public and private sector. In this chapter, the authors combine their extensive expertise and histories within diaspora philanthropy to position the sector as having a potentially transformative role in international development finance. By sharing their personal stories/insights and case studies, this chapter identifies new trends within diaspora philanthropy that can help shape it as a key contributor to international developmental finance. It explores issues such as the ongoing intergenerational transfer of wealth, understanding philanthropy as a portal to involvement in other mainstream sectors, and understanding the power of “asking”. It concludes by helping practitioners and stakeholders to further enhance their knowledge on the foundational mindset of philanthropy along with a practical set of skills to enhance their impact in the sector. This chapter is designed to be a timely addition on the intersections of diaspora, diplomacy and development by providing stakeholders with a series of future-orientated insights and skillsets to push diaspora philanthropy forward as a key contributor to development at home and abroad.
