PHILANTHROPY + DEVELOPMENT
The Expanding Responsibility of Human Progress
Advancing ideas that address the profound societal challenges of our time.
Philanthropy and development organizations are operating in a period of growing expectation and diminishing institutional certainty. As the US pulls back from long-standing commitments to global aid, scientific research, and social infrastructure, private, global institutions are increasingly being asked to help address challenges once considered the responsibility of the public sector. At the same time, the broader ecosystem of global problem-solving faces deeper scrutiny about who gets to shape solutions to increasingly complex societal challenges.
We are skilled at navigating the complex terrain of these ecosystems, harnessing deep understanding to serve our clients at the intersection of capital, policy, and social change. Our work spans the future of development finance, the evolving role of philanthropy in a polarized era, the discipline of evidence-based giving, and how mission-driven organizations build influence beyond the grants they make.
SELECT CLIENTS
The Institutions We Advise
DEY. THINKERS
Visionaries Shaping Philanthropy + Development
Esther Duflo
Economist, Nobel Prize Winner
Ban Ki-Moon
Former Secretary General, United Nations
Sir Dr. Jeremy Farrar
Assistant Director-General, World Health Organization
Mark Suzman
CEO, The Bill + Melinda Gates Foundation
Dr. Rajiv Shah
President, The Rockefeller Foundation
Working with the DEY. team is like having an ongoing conversation with friends, who happen to be very knowledgeable about the ever fluctuating media landscape. They help us sift through the opportunities, taking much stress out of the process, and of course identify and generate new ones.
– Esther Duflo
Economist, Nobel Prize Winner, Co-Founder of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT
The team at DEY. are wonderful. They bring a powerful network to the table and only take on projects that are personally meaningful to them. This gives DEY. a real advantage in getting messages heard. Undaunted by complexity and brave enough to dive into uncharted territories, the team uncovers unique and creative opportunities that others overlook.
– Jacqueline Novogratz
Founder and CEO of Acumen
Simply put, DEY. are fiercely passionate, unbelievably creative and insanely bright. No agency quite connects the dots and produces the result the way they do. And, while they are at it, they are having fun. And, you are too!
– Saadia Madsbjerg
Former Managing Director, The Rockefeller Foundation
Working with DEY. has shown me how much progress depends on sharpening ideas before they meet the world. They have an uncommon ability to hear what you’re trying to say, challenge what isn’t quite working, and help build ideas into their strongest, most resonant form. DEY are exceptional partners—thoughtful coaches who offer candid, constructive feedback that pushes the work further without diluting its edge. Just as important, they know how ideas actually travel. Their dense network of journalists, thinkers, and cultural amplifiers allows strong ideas to reach far beyond their point of origin. DEY consistently delivers outsized impact by pairing intellectual rigor with real-world influence, making them invaluable collaborators for anyone serious about innovation.
– Zia Khan
Former Chief Innovation Officer, The Rockefeller Foundation
DEY has been a strong partner in sharing the work of the Global Fund partnership in key media outlets to build support for communities where we work. They took the time to understand our organization and were quick to match our leaders and experts to opportunities with top-tier outlets and editors. Their expertise, insight, and thoughtful collaboration introduced us to new potential partners —particularly in the U.S.—and amplified our voice on critical global health issues. In short, they are exceedingly smart, connected to the right people and tirelessly dedicated to the mission of their clients.
– Christy Feig
Head of Communications, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
The DEY. team is unique to say the least. They cut through distractions, identify core issues and then get to work using their infinite energy, considerable intelligence and network of amazing contacts. For the United Nations Millennium Campaign, that meant well-placed op-eds and interviews, key meetings, and even the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, appearing on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Their impact was exactly why, when I moved to the World Bank, I brought DEY. on again to curate high-impact, highly selective opportunities for our executive leadership. On top of it all, they’re a joy to work with. I recommend them without reservation.
– Corinne Woods
Director of Communications, International Fund for Agricultural Development; former Director of Communications, World Bank Group; former Director, United Nations Millennium CampaignDEY. INSIGHTS
What We’re Thinking About
