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In this episode we offer thoughts on the trends and topics that are going to shape philanthropy and civil society in 2026. Including:

Philanthropy & Charities

• Ongoing political challenges for US philanthropy (more attacks on the legitimacy of foundations; will Trump weaponise the IRS?)
• More billion-dollar gifts; more donors signalling intent (e.g. by joining the Giving Pledge); the emergence of some new big-money philanthropists (including some high-profile women?)
• How will global civil society adapt to a new normal post-USAID?
• Will Asia start to shape global philanthropy?
• As the “impact economy" reframing takes hold in the UK, where will philanthropy fit in?
• Will the further rise of populism and the far right in UK lead to more attacks on charities and foundations?
•  Renewed focus on locality/place as a lens for philanthropy?

Societal Trends

• Will the growing desire for comfort/de-stressing and the emphasis on individual solutions contribute to the erosion of associational life? Do CSOs need to make the case for collective forms of wellbeing?
• Will growing demands for authenticity require CSOs to take stronger lines on issues, and to accord with supporters views and values?
• As people increasingly look to individuals as sources of authority, will CSOs need to find ways of partnering with influencers?
• As concerns about declining population growth enter the mainstream, what impact will this have on philanthropy and civil society?

Technology:

• As platform philanthropy continues to grow, will we start to see the “enshittification of giving"?
• How can charities navigate the challenges of AI slop and misinformation?
• Will we see further ethical questions about CSOs use of GenAI?
• As search shifts towards GenA, will charities need to adapt to a new normal in which no-one visits their websites anymore?
• Is 2026 the year that technologies we’ve been talking about for a long time become mainstream? (E.g. autonomous vehicles, smart home appliances, AR/VR/Smart glasses?)
• Is 2026 the year of Quantum technology? (And what implications will this have for philanthropy and civil society?)

Further Resources:

• WPM articles on Peter Thiel and Elon Musk
• WPM guide to quantum technology and philanthropy & civil society
• Philanthropisms podcast episodes on populism and AI
• Euromonitor's 2026 Global Consumer Trends report
• Nieman Labs 2026 Predictions for Journalism