Philanthropy in Times of Polycrisis: Risk Capital as a Mindset

Held alongside the Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum 2026, the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) is hosting a closed-door panel discussion on "Philanthropy in Times of Polycrisis: Risk Capital as a Mindset" supported by the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA). The session builds on a study by the two organisations, Philanthropy as Risk Capital in Asia, released at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2026. The study traces how patient, conviction-led funding moved untested ideas into interventions reaching more than 210 million people across the region.

Behind this reach stands a wider truth. Volatile times reward those who can see around corners. Challenges that reshape communities rarely announce themselves. To meet them, capital must commit before outcomes are proven, backing conviction over certainty. When deployed as risk capital, philanthropy can lay the groundwork for what a region has yet to face.

That understanding sits at the centre of this convening. Gathering diverse voices from next-generation families, impact investors, philanthropic organisations and solution builders, the discussion will examine how risk capital, held as a mindset as well as an asset class, can build the anticipatory stance and resilience the years ahead will demand.

Participation is by invitation only. For enquiries, please contact events@philanthropyasiaalliance.org.