Connecting and Convening the Global Innovation Challenge Community
HIGHLIGHTS
- As part of its “more than philanthropy” approach, the Citi Foundation convenes Global Innovation Challenge grantees at global conferences and events, aiming to foster networking, capacity building and collaboration among community organizations
- These gatherings, held in locations around the world including Hong Kong, Santiago, Dakar and New York City, facilitate in-person connections, enable grantees to showcase their innovative solutions to wider audiences and promote cross-regional learning and partnerships
- In addition, the Global Innovation Challenge provides a learning community with virtual sessions, technical assistance webinars and online resources, reinforcing Citi Foundation’s commitment to capacity-building and a valuable support network
As a funder, the Citi Foundation has long embraced a “more than philanthropy” approach. We look to support our grantees beyond the dollars invested to deepen relationships, spark learning and resource-sharing and maximize the impact of innovative solutions in local communities. With our Global Innovation Challenge grantees located all around the world, and working on critical topics such as food security, homelessness and youth employability, one way we put this model into practice is by convening organizations at conferences and events throughout the year. This includes inviting grantees to speak on panels, providing financial assistance for travel and hosting gatherings at Citi’s offices. We see these moments of convening as crucial opportunities for community organizations to build networks and capacity by making in-person connections and sharing best practices with peers.
I’ve had the pleasure of personally attending several of these events last year, and I have walked away from each feeling energized and inspired. I invite you to read more below and hear directly from some of the community organizations who have joined us around the world.
In Hong Kong….
The 2025 AVPN Global Conference drew more than 1,500 delegates from 50 markets and was an opportunity for organizations to connect and share widely about their work. Several of the Foundation’s Global Innovation Challenge grantees spoke on a panel about their bold ideas on housing security across the Asia-Pacific, ranging from shelter for migrant mothers and children in Hong Kong to housing and employment assistance for refugees in Indonesia. Brandee McHale, Head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and President of the Citi Foundation, also hosted a reception which gathered representatives from nine community organizations across the region.
After the conference, grantees told us how much they valued the in-person networking opportunity and the chance to engage with leaders across the public and private sectors. They stayed late together after sessions to talk about their shared experiences and common goals and connected on social media to set the foundation for future collaborations.
“It was an honor to join the Citi Foundation panel at the AVPN Conference, alongside three other incredible organizations. At PathFinders our work is complex, multi-faceted and challenging. We simply can’t do what we do without the incredible support of key partners, like Citi Foundation, who not only provide a lifeline with multi-year funding but also create platforms for their grantees to showcase their work.” -Catherine Gurtin, Chief Executive Officer, PathFinders
In Santiago...
The Citi Foundation convened more than 20 representatives from 12 grantees at the 2025 International Journal on Homelessness Conference in Santiago, Chile. Organizations showcased diverse perspectives on the complex challenge of homelessness, from people with lived experience to practitioners, policymakers and researchers. I was delighted to moderate a grantee panel and the conversation was an important reminder that safe, affordable and stable housing is a key contributor to the economic and social wellbeing of individuals and communities around the world.
I was especially inspired to see how our grantees related to each other, including two organizations that do similar work providing sustainable bamboo houses to low-income communities in Ecuador and Malaysia, respectively. They connected over mutual expertise, identified resemblances in their supply chains and shared insights with other practitioners about the cost effectiveness and durability of their housing solution.
“The exchange of ideas and experiences underscored the importance of context-specific solutions, particularly how innovations emerging from the Global South can offer valuable lessons for the Global North. The networking event was especially beneficial—facilitating meaningful connections that have sparked ongoing conversations beyond the conference.”-Jean-Ray Knighton, Chief Executive Officer, U-turn Homeless Ministries
In Dakar…
At the Africa Food System Forum hosted in Dakar, Senegal, three of our grantees gathered and spoke on a panel entitled “No One Left Hungry: Expanding Food Security for the Most Vulnerable.” The discussion covered a wide spectrum of themes, from leveraging food security as a vehicle for economic inclusion to the critical role of grain fortification in nourishment. All three of our grantees operate in Kenya, and coming together at this event offered a chance to reflect on common experiences and brainstorm new strategies, particularly about the evolving humanitarian landscape in the region.
"African youth are not just the future. They are the present. They are here now as a gift to the continent to create lasting solutions to food security, so they must be central to the discussions. It was an absolute pleasure to join other like minded individuals, organizations and funders in conversations about engaging the next generation in advancing solutions to food insecurity and increasing economic opportunities across Africa.” -Adesuwa Akinboro, Country Director, TechnoServe Nigeria.
In New York City…
Ahead of the UN General Assembly last year, the Citi Foundation hosted a breakfast at Citi’s headquarters for grantees that were already coming into town. Over 20 participants joined us for a thoughtful morning of dialogue and reflection. One throughline we heard was that the true value of the Global Innovation Challenge lay not only in the funding, but in the network it provides. For us, this reinforced the importance we place on creating moments for in-person convening and connection.
“I had a wonderful time sharing DignityMoves’ progress in scaling solutions to unsheltered homelessness and connecting with other Global Innovation Challenge grant recipients. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by passionate leaders taking on some of the world’s most complex challenges.”-Derek Corea, Director of Philanthropy, DignityMoves
In addition to in-person events, the Global Innovation Challenge grantees also have access to a learning community, where cohorts are able to engage with each other and with industry experts. There are virtual sessions for organizations to talk, share wins and learnings and expand on the relationships forged in-person. The learning community also works to build grantees’ organizational capacity, including providing access to tailored technical assistance webinars, newsletters and toolkits, and an online training platform. As we kick off 2026, we remain committed to supporting our grantees beyond the dollars and continuing to develop opportunities for these trailblazing innovators to build networks with one another and beyond.
The Citi Foundation hosts grantees at the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network Global Conference in Hong Kong.
Citi Foundation Program Officers host a breakfast for grantees ahead of the 2025 United Nations General Assembly.