Various strategic and innovative philanthropy programs were showcased at the Indonesia Philanthropy Festival (IPFest 2016). Indonesia Philanthropy Association organized the exhibition and forum to provide information for general public about the diversity and advancement of philanthropy. The Festival which was held from October 6 to 9, 2016 in Cendrawasih Hall – Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta also describes the role and contribution of philanthropy in Indonesia in achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). There are national and global philanthropy institutions and delegations from China, the United States, the Philippines and Singapore to share experiences and explore partnerships. IPFest 2016 was inaugurated by the Minister of Social Affairs, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, on Thursday morning (7/10) and attended by several ministers, state commissions, officials and philanthropy and nonprofit activists.

The Festival was held amid the rapid development of philanthropy in Indonesia. Charity and the act of helping others are emerging in our community. Hundreds of philanthropic foundations are established, ranging from family foundations, corporate foundations, faith-based foundations to independent/intermediary organizations. The potential for community contributions also continued to increase and amounted to trillions of rupiah per year. As an illustration, corporate social contribution in 2015 reached Rp 12.45 trillion. The potential of Zakat in the same year reached Rp 213 trillion, however there is only 1.2 percent or Rp 3 trillion of the total are raised. It is no wonder if Indonesians are the 2^nd most generous people in the world (Forbes, 2016).

Besides religious teachings and firmly rooted local traditions, the rapid development of philanthropy is also driven high economic growth. Indonesia is one of the countries with the fastest growing population of the super-rich (popularly called High Net Worth Individuals / HNWI) in Asia. Wealth insight report shows that HNWI population in Indonesia hold a combined wealth of USD 241 billion. The rapid growth of HNWI has also encouraged many wealthy families in Indonesia to establish family foundations or corporate foundations in recent years.

Philanthropy development in Indonesia is also characterized by an increased role and involvement of young generation. Most of them set up foundations or community-based organizations to develop social programs within their interest or concern. Others became advocates, volunteers and donors in different social organizations. Youth involvement is changing the map and pattern of philanthropy in Indonesia. The influx of youth involvement in philanthropy also encouraged various methods in donating and raising donations. In addition to the utilization of information technology, one of the prominent features of the millennial philanthropy is a community as the supporter and driver of initiatives and ideas.

IPFest 2016 carries the theme “Partnership for fostering SDGs”. SDGs are a set of universal goals, each with its own targets and indicators of the global development agenda that is used to frame national development plans in countries around the world for the next 15 years. Implementation of the SDGs will rely on inclusive global partnership with active involvement of governments, civil society, the private sector, philanthropic institutions, academics and UN agencies. To enhance the role and involvement of philanthropy to achieve the SDGs, in 2014 several global foundations with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched SDG Philanthropy Platform. The platform aims to facilitate dialogues and international collaborations between philanthropy organizations, which began in some pilot countries: Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, and Colombia. The main partner of SDG Philanthropy Platform in Indonesia is Indonesia Philanthropy Association (Filantropi Indonesia).

The Festival consists of two main activities: exhibitions and forums. The exhibition showcases the diversity of philanthropy organizations including their programs associated with 17 goals of SDGs. While the other activities are forums or discussion of various aspects of philanthropy program and the institutions. The sessions are divided into plenary, parallel and classroom/skill share. The festival also holds a partnership forum that facilitates the meeting and collaboration between philanthropy organizations with young social innovators.

Indonesia Philanthropy Association also invited young philanthropists to introduce and showcase their initiatives and social actions, in an area called Millennial Philanthropy Gallery. The gallery is located in the main lobby of Cendrawasih Hall, and the goal is to educate as well as to change the old perception and understanding that philanthropy is synonymous with charity acts of old and rich people. In fact, we do not need to wait to be old and wealthy to become a philanthropist.

In the inauguration of the Festival, Filantropi Indonesia made commitment by signing MOU of cooperation with third government agencies. First, the MOU with BEKRAF or Creative Economy Agency to pledge philanthropy support for the development and strengthen the role of creative economy in Indonesia. Second, the MOU with BAZNAS or Badan Amil Zakat (Islamic national zakat agency) to help encourage and facilitate the utilization of Zakat to achieve SDGs in Indonesia. Third, the MOU with BPJS Employment (social security employment program) to facilitate the provision of occupational accidents and protection system and pension benefits for nonprofit organizations workers and volunteers. Thirdly this cooperation is an endeavor to encourage philanthropy progress in Indonesia while strengthening the role and contribution of philanthropy to other sectors.

In addition to introducing the development and advancement of philanthropy in Indonesia, this event also aims to increase the capacity of philanthropy organizations, and to update the latest developments of philanthropy in Indonesia and abroad. Additionally, IPFest 2016 is also expected to become a strategic forum for philanthropy actors and non-profit organizations to share experiences, increase capacity, expand networks and develop partnerships with national and global philanthropy organizations.