Attending a consultation at St George’s House in Windsor Castle is always a humbling and enriching experience. On this occasion, the topic was ‘The future of philanthropy’. With the changing of the guards as a backdrop, we gathered to explore how philanthropy can take on bold, ambitious goals – what is defined as the ‘moonshot’ approach.
For me as a physicist, the term initially evoked images of space travel, but I soon realised that our conversations focused more on what I would refer to as ‘Earthshots’: transformative initiatives aimed at securing a sustainable and just future for everyone on our planet.
The discussions centered on how to connect visionary projects with the funding and support needed to bring them to life, despite the risks, uncertainty, and long timelines often involved. We explored how to build trust between funders, communities, and experts, and how to ensure that long-term impact remains the focus in a world of quick wins and short-term metrics.
One especially moving case was the Clearly project, supported by the Shen-Yet Sen Family Foundation, which aims to make vision correction accessible to all. Hearing about the persistence required – eight years of groundwork before tangible results emerged – was a powerful reminder that genuine, systemic change is often slow but deeply worthwhile.
I left with a deeper understanding of the many approaches within philanthropy: the need for humility, transparency, and a willingness to devolve power to those closest to the problems. We also reflected about the importance of aligning philanthropic efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals, work effectively with media, and pass hard-won lessons to future generations.
These insights are very relevant to my own work in education in northern Kenya. They will shape how I approach our ongoing efforts, including our own ‘moonshot’: assisting local stakeholders in building a school for underprivileged girls. The consultation reminded me that change is possible when vision meets commitment – and when bold ideas are matched by the courage to follow through.