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Community philanthropy has the potential to be a powerful driver of change in the humanitarian and development sector, working to ‘shift the power’ towards local populations and drive social progress. In this blog article, Loreine dela Cruz and Michael Vincent Mercado of the Humanitarian Observatory in the Philippines introduce the Filipino concept of ‘pagkakaloob’ and its key features, showing how it embodies a regional and global shift toward community empowerment.
Before 2016, a revolution was quietly taking shape across the world. Outside conventional development’s reach, community philanthropy (CP) arose, marked by the emergence of community foundations, women’s funds, environmental funds, and other grassroots organizations and activities in countries as geographically diverse as Romania, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, and Mexico. These philanthropic efforts appeared, amongst other things, in reaction to failed development efforts, the closing of civil society space, and the promise of locally-led development.
Community philanthropy can have a transformative impact on the communities it arises from and has become recognized as a powerful tool for local development, enhancing community capacity, building trust, and pooling local resources for sustainable development, rooted in civil society and social justice movements. In this blog article, we discuss CP in the Philippines, where a local form of CP called pagkakaloob is changing how Filipinos view giving. Pagkakaloob goes beyond just money; it’s about giving your time, talent, and resources to create a more supportive and thriving community.
Community-based fundraising and sourcing in multiple contexts
Over the past few years, we have been involved in community philanthropy projects through the Assets, Agency, and Trust Program, where we work with GlobalGiving, the Global Fund for Community Foundations, and the Nonprofit Finance Fund to promote community ownership and leadership in initiatives seeking to achieve long-term change. We are currently situated in the Philippines, where one of several Humanitarian Observatories supported by the Humanitarian Studies Centre and the Humanitarian Governance (Hum-Gov) project is located. The Philippines’ Humanitarian Observatory was established last year following the earlier establishment of observatories in the DRC, Ethiopia, South Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Our work has shown that the concept of community philanthropy (CP) resonates deeply in the Philippines, where the culture of generosity is a fundamental trait. Filipino families, particularly the baby boomer generation, have established traditions such as preparing and sharing special meals with neighbours on Sundays, which fosters community bonds and conversations. Such activities are known as ‘pagkakaloob’, a Filipino term that exemplifies this spirit of giving. Pagkakaloob embodies community philanthropy, promoting generosity and interconnectedness. It encourages not just giving but also nurturing relationships based on care, compassion, and mutual growth — this act of sharing and caring also fosters a profound human connection.
Where did the practice originate?
Filipino virtue ethics is a relationship-oriented system shaped by Southeast Asian tribal traditions and Spanish Catholicism. It is based on two key concepts: “loób,” meaning “relational will,” and “kapwa,” meaning “together with the person.” These concepts support a unique set of virtues aimed at strengthening and preserving human relationships, which contrasts with the individualistic virtues in the Western tradition. In Filipino culture, “kapwa” is a deeply significant concept. It embodies the idea of seeing oneself in others, recognizing interconnectedness, and fostering mutual respect. Beyond social interaction, “kapwa” is about empathy, solidarity, and a collective sense of belonging. “Loób” on the other hand is the soul, encompassing emotions, thoughts, and will that guide one to act with kindness and find harmony within oneself and with others.
Why is this practice commonplace?
Pagkakaloob, sometimes equating to self-sacrifice, is a cherished value with the potential to impact the country’s social and political landscape significantly. Activities go beyond financial donations, embodying the sharing of time, knowledge, skills, connections, and networks for collective welfare. This ethos is supported by practices such as mutual aid (damayan), collective action (bayanihan), and resource sharing (ambagan), which are crucial for building self-reliant communities.
The Filipino value of pagkakaloob empowers communities to lead their own development. This approach shows how individuals, organizations, and communities can all grow together to achieve shared goals. This model of community engagement, rooted in Filipino values of generosity and solidarity, underscores the transformative power of collective action and empathy in addressing social challenges.
Key features of CP in the Philippines
The collaboration between the Center for Disaster Preparedness Foundation (CDP Foundation — the coordinator of the Humanitarian Observatory of the Philippines) and partner awardees of the Abot-Kamay Community Solidarity Fund (ACSF) exemplifies the Filipino values of community and solidarity in action. This partnership has successfully mobilized local communities, raising an impressive 529,440 USD through community philanthropy activities. This builds on an initial investment of 390,000 USD provided to 32 Philippines-based community organizations. The impact extends beyond financial resources; the partnership has fostered collaboration, attracting engagement and funding from at least 43 entities, including governmental institutions. This growing support highlights the increasing recognition of CP’s potential.
Monitoring and reporting on community philanthropy initiatives highlight a profound commitment to mutual support and giving among partners. This was evident during the “Pagtatasa” internal learning event, where 64 individuals from 32 partner organizations gathered to assess progress and share knowledge. Through this and other evaluation moments, we have identified several core values that empower communities in the Philippines:
- Community solidarity. This refers to the community’s role and engagement in and co-ownership of solutions to local challenges. Values like companionship (pakikipagkapwa),involvement (mapanglahok), inclusivity, unity (pagkakaisa), and solidarity (pakikiisa) are important.
- #ShiftthePower.This objective informs community-driven decision-making and negotiations with donors, underscoring the community’s capacity to voice and meet its needs and reflecting a commitment to involvement and inclusivity.
- Prioritizing sustainable development.Communities concentrate on achieving a balance between ecological conservation, economic growth, and self-reliance, which reinforces the Filipino emphasis on the value of life and the community’s ability to sustainably fulfill its needs.
- Dedication to reaching shared goals. Community members in community development activities show both individual and organizational dedication to trust-building, network formation, and engagement, indicating a shared vision and resolve to accomplish organizational objectives.
These qualities and measures of success do more than chart the course of action — they fuel the spirit of pagkakaloob throughout the Philippines, setting a precedent for regional and global shifts toward community empowerment. Through the concerted efforts of each partner organization of the ACSF, a widespread movement of change and community philanthropy is ignited, showcasing the profound influence of collective values and actions.
Recognizing diverse community development pathways
The journey towards embracing ‘pagkakaloob’ and its potential to shift societal power dynamics in the Philippines is arduous yet vital. This path requires a fundamental shift in how we approach development, moving away from top-down methods and recognizing the immense potential within the communities themselves. Development actors and community leaders become crucial in this transformation. Their role is not to dictate solutions but to act as facilitators and supporters, enabling the collective power and truth of community-led initiatives to emerge and flourish.
The true power lies in the collective wisdom and untapped resources of community members. They are the co-investors in their own development, with a deep understanding of the challenges they face. By recognizing community assets and fostering community-led initiatives, we allow their ingenuity and dedication to drive meaningful and sustainable change.
In line with the proverb, “let a hundred flowers bloom, and a thousand schools of thought contend,” this underscores the importance of diversity in ideas and approaches for community development. By embracing a multitude of perspectives, we foster innovation and resilience, ensuring that development efforts are inclusive and representative of the community’s true needs and aspirations.
Further reading:
De Guia, Katrin. 2005. Kapwa: The Self in the Other: Worldviews and Lifestyles of Filipino Culture-Bearers. Anvil Publishing Inc.: Pasig City, the Philippines.
Edwards, Michael. ‘Forget billionaires: let’s build our own system to fund the transformation of society.’ openDemocracy, 23 June 2019.
Reyes, Jeremiah. 2015. Loób and Kapwa: Thomas Aquinas and a Filipino Virtue Ethics. PhD Dissertation, KU Leuven.
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About the authors:
Loreine B. dela Cruz is a development specialist with over forty years of professional experience in development and humanitarian work, particularly disaster risk reduction and management, climate change, human rights, and peacebuilding.
Micheal Vincent DC. Mercado is a disaster risk reduction specialist and filmmaker whose career began in 2008 with the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) Foundation as a student documentary producer.
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