Charitable works can be a transformative force, bridging gaps and creating opportunities for positive change around the world. However, as anyone involved in the culture of philanthropy will tell you, it’s also complex, requiring sensitivity, knowledge, and sometimes the hard-earned experience of what works and what doesn’t.
International businessperson and investor Uri Ansbacher is actively involved in philanthropy and has seen both the highs and lows of charitable efforts.
“I believe that our work is, if we are blessed with wealth, the expectation is that we share it with the rest of the world that is not able to take care of themselves,” Ansbacher says. “It’s a principle that leads our company and our family throughout the years.”
Ansbacher shares what fruitful strategic philanthropy looks like to him — the highs and lows — and what can happen when good intentions fall short.
Philanthropic Highs
Empowering Communities Through Infrastructure
One of the greatest successes in philanthropy lies in empowering communities by meeting basic needs, as exemplified by Uri Ansbacher and his projects across Africa, where he helped in transitioning thousands from temporary shelters to stable housing with access to running water and electricity.
“We were able to be a part of a huge project in Africa that enabled people that were living like basically, literally in tents, to move to normal houses and to get like normal life and to get them linked and connected to normal water sources, to get some kind of electricity, which is implementing huge neighborhoods near solar energy facilities,” he shares. “That is a good example of how we do it.”
When philanthropy is at the core, projects go beyond meeting immediate needs to build a foundation for families to live with dignity and for entire communities to develop sustainably in ways that resonate with their daily lives and needs.
Key Points:
— Infrastructure projects support self-reliance and long-term well-being.
— Enhancing essential services creates opportunities for community growth and stability.
— Successful philanthropy relies on trust, empowering communities to take ownership.
Connecting People With Ideas To Get Things Done
Renowned for his role as a connector of hope, Uri Ansbacher leverages a diverse skill set to help projects reach their full potential. Through his charitable works, he seeks meaningful ways to address gaps, filling in where others working on similar initiatives may need help.
Key Points:
— Philanthropy empowers new ideas and breakthroughs.
— Diverse skills come together to maximize the potential of projects.
— Meaningful initiatives can effectively address gaps overlooked by others.
Creating Employment in Underserved Regions
One of the most sustainable ways to lift communities out of poverty is employment-focused philanthropy. Strategic philanthropy creates jobs that strengthen local economies and promote social unity, empowering people to support their families, engage in their communities, and build better lives.
Says Ansbacher, “I think it should be a guiding principle for any private or public company. I think that managers, they have to strive to implement these kind of values in all their workers. They have to make sure that this objective and this principle is clear to any worker since the beginning.”
Key Points:
— Job creation builds economic resilience in underserved areas.
— Employment-focused initiatives break cycles of poverty.
— Sustainable philanthropy fuels local economies and uplifts communities.
Philanthropic Lows
When Help Overwhelms
Despite good intentions, some philanthropic efforts can create dependency rather than empowerment. Aid without understanding or involving the community often fails to meet pressing needs. Uri Ansbacher acknowledges that effective trust-based philanthropy relies on a deep understanding of the people involved, advocating for collaboration with communities.
Key Points:
— Community involvement is essential for effective aid.
— Understanding local needs helps avoid unintended dependency.
— Long-term success requires empowering communities to be part of the solution.
When Projects Serve Donors Over Recipients
Sometimes, philanthropic projects lose sight of the people they’re intended to serve, focusing instead on what donors want to see. Lavish buildings emblazoned with a donor’s name, or high-tech solutions unsustainable by the local community, are examples of philanthropy that serves donors more than the intended recipients.
Uri Ansbacher understands the importance of keeping communities’ needs front and center, free from the pressure of visibility or branding.
Key Points:
— Donor-centric projects often alienate or fail to serve communities.
— Resources spent on publicity or naming rights reduce impact.
— Effective philanthropy prioritizes substance and meaningful outcomes.
Ignoring Local Customs and Context
Finally, philanthropy can fall short when donors fail to respect and incorporate local customs. When donors impose their values on a community, they may unintentionally create friction or even resistance. Uri Ansbacher always respects the culture of philanthropy in each setting, working as a bridge rather than imposing external values.
Key Points:
— Effective philanthropy respects local customs and culture.
— Misaligned initiatives often face resistance or lack of engagement.
— Cultural awareness builds strong partnerships and mutual respect.
Philanthropy has the power to uplift, empower, and transform when done thoughtfully, but as these examples show, it can quickly encounter pitfalls.
Effective philanthropic services rely on a deep respect for community involvement, cultural understanding, and a focus on real, meaningful impact.
How does Uri Ansbacher consistently achieve this? By keeping a close eye on building infrastructure, improving security, and creating employment opportunities. His insights illustrate that most good works are often achieved through humility, trust, and a commitment to building alongside the communities they aim to serve.
And perhaps that’s the true meaning of philanthropy in a sentence: giving not for recognition, but for the shared success of a better world for all.