Balancing our Sector: The Third Leg of the Stool: Corporate Philanthropy’s Role in Stability and Innovation with Graham Macmillan

What keeps the social sector balanced and resilient? In a recent episode of Untapped Philanthropy, Graham Macmillan, President of Visa Foundation, explains why corporate philanthropy is the “third leg of the stool,” providing essential stability and driving innovation alongside government and nonprofits.

The Critical Role of Corporate Philanthropy

Corporate foundations like Visa Foundation bring more than just financial support to the table. Visa Foundation combines traditional grants, impact investments, and the expertise of 30,000 Visa employees to create lasting impact.

According to Macmillan, the goal is to move beyond charity:

“We constructed a foundation that essentially had every tool at our disposal to be able to advance our mission from the spectrum of grant making and investing one can do.”

Stability in a Time of Uncertainty

Macmillan acknowledges the “shock to the system” currently facing the social sector. He emphasizes the need for systems thinking and the rare skill of bridging—connecting diverse groups to create collaborative solutions:

“There’s not a lot of collective action yet... What’s missing... is the systems level thinking.”

Why Listen to This Episode?

This conversation with Graham Macmillan offers fresh insights into:

• How corporate giving can be a stabilizing force during crises.
• The balance between short-term responses and long-term goals.
• The innovative use of technology to build trust in philanthropy.

For those looking to understand how businesses can act as transformative agents of change, this episode is a must-listen.

For more on how Visa Foundation is setting a new standard for corporate giving, visit visa.com/foundation.

Download the transcript here.