Ignite Philanthropy: Inspiring the End to Violence Against Girls and Boys

Ignite Philanthropy is a philanthropic fund that supports bold efforts to ensure every child lives a life free from violence. Co-created by Human Dignity Foundation, Oak Foundation, and Wellspring Philanthropic Fund in 2016 to heighten their impact, what began as a modest donor collaboration quickly developed to become a creative and strategic grant maker embracing roles from adviser to convener, incubator, and more.

At Ignite, we work together with our partners towards our vision: a world where violence against children is eradicated and where children and youth exercise their rights, shape their futures, and live in peace.


Our Guiding Principles

Constructive Disruption

We strive to question the status quo, convene and organise, shake up traditions and dismantle conventional power structures. We want to create the conditions for new narratives, modes of influence and change that is driven by lived experience leaders and their allies.


Courageous Experimentation

We create the conditions for the blossoming of new ways of building power and making change, trialling ideas several times before they achieve mainstream acceptance. We embrace the variety of knowledge sources held by our partners.


Applied Learning

At the heart of our work is a belief in continuous learning, and that learning does not happen in an echo chamber but comes alive when applied in the field.


Uncompromising Equity

We commit to embedding equity into our internal and external organisational model, knowing that the work of questioning and latering inequitable structures is never complete. We approach this work with persistence, productive rage, and opennedd to deep listening and change. We recognise the necessity and challenge of building trusting relationships to get there.


Purposeful Inclusion

We commit to co-designing spaces where intersectionality and a diversity of identities, voices, and perspectives are not simply welcomed, but are part of the fabric of our organisational design.


 

With the launch of Ignite Philanthropy’s 2024-2029 Strategy, we aim to leverage our nimble, creative, and strategic legacy in the context of a deeply changed landscape. This process is being undertaken in collaboration with our key partners:

Groups of lived experience leaders

Critical allies

Funder partners

Learn more about how we turn this strategy into action here.

We thank Human Dignity Foundation, Oak Foundation, Porticus, and Wellspring Philanthropic Fund for their generous investments in Ignite Philanthropy to date.