Overview

How can philanthropy catalyse systemic change in an era of global crisis? As the world grapples with escalating climate risks, widening inequality, and shifting global power dynamics, traditional approaches to development finance are becoming insufficient. This book explores how philanthropy, as risk capital, can de-risk investments, unlock private capital, and drive transformative, multi-sector partnerships to tackle the most pressing global challenges. Bringing together real-world case studies and expert insights, it highlights blended finance models, climate adaptation strategies, and innovative approaches to sustainable development. The authors reveal how emerging markets are leading in catalytic finance, how philanthropy can scale green investments, and why collaboration is the only path to meaningful impact. A must-read for philanthropists, investors, policymakers, and development leaders, Catalytic Capital offers practical frameworks to harness the power of finance for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global economy. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Full Product Details

Author:   Clare Woodcraft (University of Cambridge) ,  Nitya Mohan Khemka (PATH) ,  Elizabeth Yee (The Rockefeller Foundation) ,  Deepali Khanna (The Rockefeller Foundation)
Publisher:   Cambridge University Press
Imprint:   Cambridge University Press
Weight:   0.636kg
ISBN:  

9781009606790

ISBN 10:   1009606794
Pages:   332
Publication Date:   11 December 2025
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements; Foreword; Introduction Clare Woodcraft and Nitya Mohan Khemka; Part I. Mobilizing Catalytic Finance: 1. The role of philanthropy in mobilizing private finance for sustainable development Haje Schutte; 2. The opportunity of pooled funds for amplifying impact Facundo Etchebehere, Attilio Tardani and Emmanuel Marchant; 3. Unlocking catalytic capital: private-sector innovation and partnerships Sophie Faujour and Kehinde Sonuga; 4. Overcoming market barriers to unlock health capital for the Global South Neha Agarwal and Nikolaj Gilbert; Part II. Capacity Building: 5. Philanthropy for capacity building: the case of Tienda Cerca–Financial and digital inclusion for SMEs Catalina Garcia, Tom Achoki, William Ernest and Fermin Vivanco; 6. Regulatory reforms and the rise of the Saudi impact sector HH Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah AlSaud; 7. Radical collaboration for system change: the LAWFP as a model for scaling and the role of philanthropic capital as a catalyst Carlos A. Hurtado Aguilar, Ana Laura Elizondo and Lorena Guillé-Laris; 8. Regulatory reform to unlocking the potential of the Arab third sector: Bab Amal and poverty alleviation in Egypt Abdelrahman Nagy and Noura Selim; Part III. Equitable Climate Transition: 9. Philanthropy as a catalyst for private finance of climate solutions: the green development investment accelerator Uday Khemka and Aaran Patel; 10. Building Climate Resilience: the role of philanthropy in advancing conservation and nature-based solutions in LAC Catalina Herrera and Manuela Jiménez López; 11. Adaptation finance for Global South: can philanthropy bridge the yawning gap? Nilanjan Ghosh; 12. Philanthropy as a de-risking tool for SDG finance Allie Hollowell and Frank Aswani; Epilogue; Index.

Reviews

'This book is a must-read for all those seeking to understand the role that philanthropy can and should play in an era of multiple, overlapping global crises. With highly respected editors and thirty expert contributors, this volume provides an essential guide for everyone interested in the tools and ideas needed to shape a better world.' Beth Breeze, Director of the Centre for Philanthropy, University of Kent 'Philanthropy's greatest potential lies in its ability to take risks, and catalytic capital is an effective way to scale solutions and drive real impact. True transformation comes from bold, high-risk moonshot bets that look to create disruptive impact. This is essential reading for anyone seeking to harness their resources as a force for social and economic transformation.' James Chen, Philanthropist 'This book is the needed wake-up call for philanthropic giving to look at how redefining philanthropy can drive resilience worldwide. Thanks to this kind of catalytic philanthropic giving our Center devised and implemented first-of-its-kind, pioneering solutions for climate resilience that directly benefit people and communities.' Jorge Gastelumendi, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council's Climate Resilience Center 'We are in an unprecedented period of instability and insecurity, which demands bold action. And philanthropy – specifically, catalytic capital – can help. Sharing the experiences of leading practioners around the world, this book offers tangible examples of how philanthropy can unlock the trillions needed to address our deepening climate crisis while keeping people at the centre. I hope these vignettes continue to inspire and activate more catalytic funders – donors, family offices, corporate social investors, and more – to step up.' Leslie Anne Johnston, CEO, Laudes Foundation and Chair, Impact Europe

Author Information

Clare Woodcraft is a leading voice on philanthropy in emerging markets and founder of the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at the University of Cambridge. She holds advisory roles at WAPPP, Cambridge Partnership for Education, and Alliance, is a former trustee of Fondation Chanel and WINGS, and was CEO of Emirates Foundation and Deputy Director at Shell Foundation. Clare is co-editor of Reimagining Philanthropy in the Global South (Cambridge, 2024). Nitya Mohan Khemka is Trustee at the Nand and Jeet Khemka Foundation, focussed on the conjunction of climate and public health. She is also Advisor at PATH and an Associate Fellow at Homerton College, the University of Cambridge. She holds advisory board roles at UNHCR, WAPPP, and Eisenhower Fellowships. She has published on a wide range of topics and is co-editor of Reimagining Philanthropy in the Global South (Cambridge, 2024).

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Countries Available

All regions