Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) have long shaped financial markets through meticulous governance, multi-decade foresight, and strategic asset allocation. Now, a growing number of affluent families see parallels between SWFs’ institutional rigor and the framework required to achieve meaningful, long-term philanthropy. By weaving in principles like transparency, diversification, and disciplined governance — plus leveraging platforms such as Altoo’s for centralised oversight — families can better direct their capital toward sustained global impact.
As digitalisation reshapes the global economy, a trend of so-called crypto philanthropy has emerged. Involving cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, this innovative concept provides a borderless and bureaucracy-free alternative to traditional philanthropy and is poised to take on a powerful role in charitable giving.
Understanding the key differences between charity and philanthropy is essential for high net worth individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact with their contributions. Both approaches have their merits and can complement each other in a comprehensive giving strategy. In this comprehensive article, we explore the definitions of charity and philanthropy, their implications, and the ways in which they shape our society.
In the heart of the Middle East, a region known for its diverse cultures and economic prowess, a quiet but powerful force is shaping the destinies of countless lives - the philanthropic efforts of charitable foundations.
Among all generational groups, the health category is a top priority in philanthropic donations. Having a sense of personal touch, health care donors are more likely to make a gift in honour or memory of someone.
Geopolitical tensions and uncertainty have emerged as the new norm, and public, private, and philanthropic actors need to better equip themselves to confront emergency situations in the near and intermediate future, as well as collaborate more closely to address the interconnectedness and complexity of such crises.
Philanthropy dates back to Greek society. According to the US financial media website Investopedia, Plato instructed his nephew in his will to use the proceeds of the family farm to fund the academy that he founded in 347 B.C. The money helped students and faculty keep the academy running.
In terms of total philanthropic giving, the United States ranks well above other countries. This article outlines the key factors behind Americans' world-leading generosity.
Family Offices (FOs) are devoting a greater share of time and wealth to philanthropy. Charitable giving is one of the main ways many families and Family Offices define success. Philanthropy is a wonderful way to engage family members, especially younger generations, to share and honour values, explore similarities and differences, and leverage individual strengths.
We think you might like
How do you run an effective family office when the family's patriarch is in Geneva and his adult children live in London and New York? According to Campden Wealth research, for more than half of family offices this kind of question isn't hypothetical: They serve at least one family member residing outside the family office's primary jurisdiction. The coordination challenge this creates isn't just logistical. It's structural, and it demands infrastructure built for distributed operations from the start.
In 2025, an estimated 142,000 millionaires will relocate internationally, according to Henley & Partners' latest private wealth migration report. The UK alone faces a net outflow of 16,500 wealthy individuals — the largest exodus any country has experienced since tracking began. Dubai, Switzerland, and Singapore welcome thousands more each year. The Great Wealth Migration, as some call it, is well underway. The result is greater physical mobility without greater asset consolidation. Technology to consolidate the data around diverse assets can bridge the gap.
Trade disputes, sanctions and capital controls can reorder markets in a single news cycle. When they do, risk management stops being abstract. It becomes concrete and personal: where an asset is custodied, which passport a principal travels on, the jurisdiction an entity sits in, and whether the documents you need to act are ready. If wealth is spread across banks, vaults, partnerships and family members in multiple countries, exposure is spread too.
In case you missed it
For many family offices, the risks are no longer theoretical. Governance is informal, reporting delayed, and portfolios are growing more complex by the quarter. Yet many still rely on basic spreadsheets to track billions. According to Copia Wealth, citing KPMG data from 2025, more than 57% of global family offices continue to use general tools like Excel for core financial reporting.
