The Pearl Initiative, a business-led non-profit organisation promoting corporate accountability in the Gulf region's private sector, has further strengthened the philanthropy ecosystem in partnership with Philanthropy Age, the Arab region's leading source of philanthropic news, through the Circle, a digital platform designed to support philanthropists and corporate donors in the Gulf region.
With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, circlemena.org offers current and aspiring philanthropists, foundations, family offices, CSR professionals, and representatives of corporations exclusive access to resources, case studies and insight reports to enhance their philanthropic and social impact.
Waleed Gubara, CEO of Touchline, the Dubai-based publisher of Philanthropy Age, said: "We are delighted to be collaborating with the Pearl Initiative to use our content expertise to support the region's philanthropic ecosystem."
With global concerns such as the $2.5 trillion annual gap standing in the way of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), circlemena.org provides an opportunity for the region's philanthropic donors to share knowledge and experience to inspire the next generation of funders on their journey.
Ranya Saadawi, Executive Director of the Pearl Initiative, said: "We are pleased to be working closely with Philanthropy Age to equip institutional and individual donors across the Gulf region with knowledge and tools to devise impactful strategic philanthropic and corporate responsibility plans. The new functions will enable the 'Circle' network to build and unite the growing community of gulf-based philanthropists keen to make a greater impact."
The multifaceted website Circlemena.org helps inform, cultivate, and inspire strategic philanthropy through a range of new features, including a membership-only section to enable knowledge exchange and an interactive, personalised dashboard for registered members to connect and share experiences and insights.
Robert Rosen, Director of Philanthropic Partnerships at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said: "Vibrant peer networks are a great way to increase collaboration among donors and increase the impact and effectiveness of their philanthropy. Through this partnership between the Pearl Initiative and Philanthropy Age, the Circle will be a valuable tool to strengthen donor networks in the Middle East and increase the impact of their giving."
The site features the Circle Index, the region's most comprehensive database of foundations, non-profits, and social enterprises. The Circle Index tracks who is spending what, where, and with whom, to help donors and grantees find new partners and increase transparency around giving.
The Circle convened workshops on strategic philanthropy, impact investment, and measurement this year. Expert facilitators hosted these exclusive events from 21/64, Innovest Advisory, and the Center for Effective Philanthropy, among others. The events featured a range of international keynote speakers, including Hadi Partovi, Founder of Code.org; Sara Ojeh, Ethos Philanthropy Founder and Director; and Shainoor Khoja, impact investment thought leader.