How Diaspora Philanthropy Meets Community Needs: from identifying community

needs to evaluating the outcomes in the home land

Betania Gonçalves da Silva, Emerging Leader, International Fellows Program ~ 2008

Abstract

Transnational flows of money, multinational business, cross-border charity and remittances are not new phenomena. However, philanthropic giving from diaspora populations to the homeland and the work undertaken by institutionalized diaspora philanthropies are still under development. Diaspora populations are evolving and continually changing; people are seeking better jobs and educational opportunities in distant places, encouraging them to move more rapidly; transportation between countries is becoming more affordable for more people and so they are traveling greater distances. The studies undertaken to date prove that as immigrant wealth grows, so too their charitable giving—both to the homeland, as well as to their host country and new home.

In her paper, Ms. Gonçalves da Silva aims to advance understanding of how institutionalized diaspora philanthropy in the USA operates.  Her study offers an overview on how diaspora philanthropy organizations in the United States identify community needs, monitor their efforts in promoting social changes, and evaluate the outcomes in the homeland. The paper focuses on American public charities and their work towards the diaspora populations as potential donors who, through their donations of money, time, in-kind resources, and knowledge are able to meet community needs. Finally the text and appendices provide a wealth of details —about the experiences, missions and financial data of formal diaspora philanthropy organizations serving African, Asian, Latin American, and European populations.

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