Fundraising from the Gulf is not the same as fundraising anywhere else.

From Shariah-compliant giving and Zakat structures, to cross-border regulations, donor privacy expectations, and relationship-led philanthropy, organisations based in the Gulf face a very distinct fundraising landscape when engaging international donors.

Webinar Details

Join us on 26 February at 14:00 GMT / 15:00 CET for a webinar on International Fundraising in the Gulf.

We are honoured to be joined by two highly experienced speakers:

Rivka AZOULAY — an international fundraising strategist with 15+ years of experience across the MENA and GCC regions, securing major funding partnerships with governments, development banks, foundations, and high-net-worth donors supporting humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding initiatives.

Karima ANBAR — a former French diplomat and philanthropy leader, founding Executive Director of the Intisar Foundation, with extensive experience building donor partnerships and mobilising resources across the Arab world.

In this session, we’ll explore:

• How Gulf-based donors approach international giving
• Compliance, due diligence, and cross-border transfers
• Aligning fundraising strategies with regional values and norms
• Building trust and long-term donor relationships
• Common mistakes international fundraisers make in the Gulf

Pre-register now

If you can’t attend live, pre-register to receive the recording afterwards.

Previous webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.

Chapel & York is pleased to announce two upcoming editions of its Philanthropy Breakfast Series in Geneva. Both events will be casual and discussion-led, using a Chatham House–style approach to support open and candid conversation.

Giving Vehicles in 2026

Date: Thursday, February 5 | 8:30–10:00

Details: This session will be co-hosted by Walder Wyss and will bring together a small group of peers for a candid, discussion-led conversation on giving vehicles and how they are being used in practice.

Venue: Details shared on confirmation

Audience: Wealth advisors, private bankers, lawyers, family office representatives, and philanthropy professionals

Fundraising in Freefall

Date: Friday, February 6 | 8:30–10:00

Details: This breakfast is focused on fundraising and NGO perspectives and looks at how organizations are navigating the 2026 funding environment following a challenging 2025

Venue: Details shared on confirmation

Audience: Fundraisers and NGO leaders

RSVP

Please don’t hesitate to email events@chapel-york.com to RSVP, we hope to see you in person soon!

This week in Geneva, Chapel & York hosted an insightful breakfast discussion bringing together leaders from across the philanthropy and wealth sectors to unpack one of the most pressing topics of 2025: cross-border giving in a time of policy and regulatory change.

Key Themes

From U.S. tax policy shifts to increasing complexity in international compliance, one thing became clear — global philanthropy is entering a new chapter that demands clarity, collaboration, and adaptability.

Our expert panellists

A huge thank you to our panellists for sharing their deep experience and candid insights:

• Nancy Bikson, Chapel & York
• Vincent Pfammatter, Walder Wyss Ltd
• Katharina Samara-Wickrama, Helia Collaborative

And to our moderator:

• Kelsi Kriitmaa, PhD, Kriitmaa Coaching and Consulting

And to everyone who joined us for the discussion – your questions and perspectives made it an engaging and constructive exchange.

What’s next

At Chapel & York, we’re proud to help bridge these global conversations and support funders, advisors, and nonprofits in navigating international giving with confidence.

Stay tuned for details on our next Geneva event in February 2026 in this new series of Philanthropy Breakfast Conversations.

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are reshaping charitable giving, with billions distributed annually to nonprofits. Yet many organisations are still uncertain about how to make the most of this opportunity.

What you’ll learn

• What DAFs are and how they work
• Who makes the giving decisions
• How to identify and cultivate DAF donors
• The key opportunities (and pitfalls) to be aware of

Pre-register now

Our expert presenters, Nancy Bikson and Kurstin Finch Gnehm of Chapel & York, will share practical strategies and answer your questions, so you leave with the tools to confidently approach DAF fundraising.

We hope you’ll join us for this insightful session and discover how your organisation can unlock the potential of Donor Advised Funds.

Previous webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.

Global giving is on the rise as individuals, foundations, and corporations look to make a strategic impact across borders. But with that growth comes intense competition for donor attention and funding.

How Chapel & York helps you stand out

At Chapel & York, our International Fundraising team of over 45 experts, headed by Arnaud Marcilhacy, bring decades of experience across higher education, arts and culture, medical research, and global NGOs.

Ready to Scale Your Impact Internationally?

“The expertise of Chapel & York’s consultants laid the groundwork for the launch of our fundraising campaign, strengthening our institution’s impact and commitment to social progress. A special thank you to Arnaud Marcilhacy and Stuart Krantz for your invaluable contributions in shaping our resource mobilisation strategy with skill and dedication!”

– Fundação Dom Cabral.

If your organisation is ready to scale its impact internationally, our team can make it happen. Let’s talk

Policy changes

In advance of changes to U.S. tax policy that will go into effect in 2026, high-net-worth donors and corporations may reconsider their 2025 charitable giving strategies. The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ which passed in July introduces a 0.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI) floor on individual charitable deductions (ie itemizers must donate 0.5% of their AGI before the charitable deduction kicks in) and a 1% of income floor for corporations starting next year.

While there’s debate about how significant the impact will be—especially since corporate giving already averages 1.1% of income—some experts suggest we may see an uptick in major gifts in 2025 as donors act before the new rules take effect.

Actions

Now may be the right time to:

• Engage your US major donors in conversations about their year-end giving
• Review your US donor strategies in light of upcoming changes
• Prepare for a potential shift in giving patterns from US major donors and corporations

Read the full article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Philanthropy in America

Though the reductions in US Federal funding have made news in recent months, it’s important to remember that philanthropy in America comes from many other sources. The latest Giving USA report, which provides an annual analysis of philanthropic giving in America, shows a 3.3% increase in charitable giving for 2024, with donations totalling US$593 billion.

Insights from Heather Hill

Heather Hill, CNM, CFRE, Head of International Fundraising for Chapel & York shares her thoughts: ‘If you’re fundraising in the US, you should take note that giving from individuals and corporations increased and foundation giving held steady. Furthermore, all causes saw an increase in support, with the exception being religious causes which decreased by 1% but still remains the leading recipient.’

Opportunities for international fundraisers

What does this mean for your international fundraising from America? There are still abundant opportunities to secure support for your mission. Be sure your organisation’s case for support is current and compelling, research your prospects to better understand their charitable priorities and motivations, and thoughtfully steward relationships.

AI for international fundraising

Is your fundraising data working as hard as it could be?

Join us for this practical and insightful session on Thursday 26th June exploring how AI is transforming international fundraising—from smarter donor targeting to predicting future engagement. We’ll spotlight real applications that can help your organisation work more efficiently and effectively at scale.

What you’ll learn

• Tools and AI approaches that enhance donor insight and outreach
• How Coally, a platform built to foster purpose-driven communities, uses AI to collect, analyse and act on data
• AI solutions for engagement tracking and relationship community management
• Key challenges in applying AI to global fundraising—and how to navigate the.

Pre-register now

Whether you’re curious about AI’s potential for international fundraising or already experimenting with data models, this session will help you understand what’s possible—and how to get started.

Register now to secure your spot and receive a full recording after the session.

Previous webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding offers incredible benefits for alumni fundraising—expanding your donor base, boosting engagement, and strengthening your brand.

However, it can also present challenges like competing for attention and managing expectations. To succeed, a clear message and the ability to deliver on promises are key.

Pre register now

Join us on May 28th for an exclusive webinar featuring crowdfunding experts Anna Cohen and Chaya Abelsky from Charidy.com , moderated by Arnaud Marcilhacy, our Head of International Fundraising. Learn how crowdfunding can energise your alumni network and help fund global initiatives.

Reserve your spot today (all registrants also receive a copy of the recording):

Previous Webinars

As a non-profit organisation, international fundraising is crucial for your success. However, it can be challenging to navigate. That’s where our webinars come in – they are here to help you! Our friendly experts have compiled a range of hints and tips to make your fundraising efforts a success.