Across communities around the world, lasting change begins when committed leaders come together with shared purpose and compassion.
Gathering for Greater Impact
This past year brought major shifts in global development from aid cuts and market volatility to growing fragmentation and geopolitical tensions. At the same time, our challenges are greater than ever.
On May 4–5, 2026, CID will host our 17th annual Global Empowerment Meeting. GEM26: Reimagining International Development will bring together global changemakers to share insights, incubate solutions, and redefine what “development” can and should mean in the coming decades.
Philanthropists are essential collaborators in this work. Alongside the GEM conference, CID is convening GEM Foundations, an annual gathering of global foundation leaders to collectively explore how to maximize the impact of philanthropic giving.
GEM Foundations takes place each year immediately following CID's GEM conference.
GEM Foundations 2026 will be held on May 6th.
GEM Foundations will provide foundation leaders with:
- a curated, global community of philanthropists for collective learning and innovation.
- a space to co‑develop innovations beneficial to increasing the impact of giving.
- direct access to cutting-edge research and engagement with leading researchers and talented students across CID’s local and global networks.
As a special focus of this year’s gathering, we invite GEM Foundations participants to help shape a future CID workshop series on how senior foundation leaders can maximize the social impact of philanthropic capital.
By working together, we amplify our individual efforts and build a world where all individuals can thrive. Attendees include representatives from US-based and international philanthropic organizations and individual philanthropists. Participation in GEM Foundations is by invite only.
May 6, 2026 - GEM Foundations
10 AM – Welcome Remarks
10:30 AM – Opening Large-Group Conversation
Attendees will be asked to share thoughts related to the impact of philanthropic giving
11:00 AM – Session 1: Obstacles to Social Impact
This session focuses on collectively identifying 3–5 common challenges facing philanthropic organizations across the diverse sectors and geographies represented in the room.
12:30 PM – Networking Lunch
2:00 PM – Perspectives from Leadership
Amrita Ahuja provides a brief summary of the morning session, Isabella Luksic James discusses the critical role of social impact in philanthropy, and Asim I. Khwaja comments on the role of evidence in effective decision making
2:30 PM – Panel Discussion: From Intent to Impact
This panel examines how philanthropic leaders make real-world decisions about where and how to allocate their giving. Setting the model for the small-group discussions that follow, the panel tackles one central question in philanthropy.
3:30 PM – Session 2: Small-Group Discussions – Collaborative Solution Design
Following the panel discussion, participants will break into small, facilitated groups to tackle one of the key challenges identified in Session 1.
4:30 PM – Collective Insights and Path Forward
A short discussion to surface insights, common themes, and innovative ideas for impact from the small groups. Reflections on what these takeaways mean for the GEM Foundations community and outlining Harvard CID’s vision for continued collaboration following the convening.
5:30 PM – Drinks in Harvard Square