PCP is an independent nonprofit support organisation with a vision “to link the three sectors of society i.e government, business and civil society organizations in a synergistic partnership for development” and mission “to promote the volume and effectiveness of philanthropy for social development in Pakistan”. PCP is the first Government authorised Certification Agency in Pakistan. It is led by an active and effective Board, comprising of eminent citizens, representatives of civil society organizations and business leaders (BoD list attached).
PCP’s has played an important role in complementing Government’s development efforts, corporate and diaspora philanthropy research and NGO certification. The Centre’s work and programmes are not only in line with government’s agenda of reforms and supplement its development endeavours but are also is in consonance with donors’ country assistance strategies and broader internationally cherished goals enunciated in UN’s MDGs and UN’s Global Compact, outlining the need for synergised and concerted efforts on the part of all the stakeholders i.e Governments, Business and Civil Society.
Their Objectives
PCP’s objectives are to enhance societal knowledge and encourage best practices of indigenous philanthropy;
promote and strengthen civil society through sustainable philanthropy in Pakistan;
generate informed discussions and enable informed philanthropy related policy decisions through evidence based research; encouragedevelopment work through corporate social responsibility; create a more enabling environment for philanthropy;
assist grant givers by professionalising grant making;
and enhance the grant recipients’ effectiveness by building their capacity in forming and maintaining relationships with grant makers through Certification. The Centre also promotes philanthropy through communication, publications and media.
Programs
Certification
The Certification Programme seeks to bring transparency, accountability and good governance in the nonprofit sector in Pakistan. The first initiative of its kind in South Asia; it involves the evaluation of a nonprofit organisation on standardised parameters of internal governance, financial management and programme delivery. This voluntary assessment aims to enhance a CSOs' credibility and resultantly its access to funding.
Communication and Advocacy
PCP recognises that all stakeholders need to be educated in the concept, statistics and mechanics of philanthropy. For this purpose a multi pronged media strategy is used to advance discussion and awareness on philanthropy including regular updates on the PCP website on global developments as well as through e-mail alerts, news reports and the distribution of in-house publications at various forums. Programme specific information, models, research and other finding are circulated through brochures, booklets, flyers, news articles, talk shows and reports.
Philanthropy Support Services
PCP seeks to bridge the gap information availability and credibility that exists between the grant-makers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Philanthropy Support Services' Programme assists philanthropists enhance the impact of their giving. With the help of this programme, the Centre seeks to promote humane efforts of national and international philanthropists (individual, corporate & Diaspora) by establishing effective linkages between the grant-maker and CSOs.
Research
The Programme is committed to expanding the empirical map on voluntary giving, which remains largely unexplored. Sharing this evidence based information through effective communication channels is also an integral part of our mandate. Research at the PCP aims to enhance understanding of various dimensions of philanthropy by exploring factors and sources that affect or have the potential to affect philanthropy and social development in Pakistan. The core objective of our agenda is to make research findings available for development practitioners to better plan and organise social investment for civic benefit in Pakistan.
