Prizes for Best Academic Papers

Launched in 2020, the Fondation Lombard Odier Prize for Academic Excellence in Philanthropy awards the best academic papers in Philanthropy.

The third edition (2024) is dedicated to Artificial Intelligence and Philanthropy:

  • The first prize is related to AI for Philanthropy - to honor the best paper on the role AI can play in enhancing and improving the work and impact of Philanthropic Organizations (POs).
  • The second prize is related to AI, Philanthropy and Ethics - to honor the best paper on the responsibility and potential of philanthropy in contributing to the development of Ethical and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence (EIAI).

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 edition of the Fondation Lombard Odier Prize(s) for Academic Excellence in Philanthropy

In the first category | “AI for Philanthropy”

Simone Bartalucci, Antonia Muhr, Sina Sauer and Prof. Volker Then, Fondazione AIS, Bologna, Italy, for their collective paper entitled « Measuring Meaningful Change: AI-Enhanced Impact Measurement in Philanthropy ».

In the second category | “AI Philanthropy and Ethics”

  • Dr. Bertram Lang, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany, for his paper entitled « Digital Philanthropy in China: How Internet Fundraising Platforms and Artificial Intelligence are transforming Non-Profit Governance ».

The prizes were awarded during the public conference "Artificial Intelligence and Philanthropy" on 14 March 2024 at Les Salons.

The jury members were:

  • Prof. Yves Flückiger, Rector, University of Geneva, Switzerland;
  • André Hoffmann, Philanthropist, Switzerland;
  • Dr. Maximilian Martin, Lombard Odier & International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Switzerland;
  • Milos Maricic, co-editor of the handbook on AI and Philanthropy, Switzerland;
  • Prof. René Bekkers, Vrije Universiteit, Netherlands;
  • Prof. Ji Ma, University of Texas Austin, USA;
  • Prof. Sebastian Raisch, University of Geneva, Switzerland.

The 8 finalists of the first category were:

Moving Philanthropy to Reshape our AI Enabled Future: From Margin to Mainstream

  • Yolanda Botti-Lodovico, Policy and Advocacy Lead, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation
  • Vilas Dhar, President and Trustee, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, 

AI Usage for Collecting Philanthropy Data in the Western Balkans. A Case Study

  • Dr. Marko Galjak, Chief Data Scientist, Catalyst Balkans
  • Nikola Milinkovic, Automation Specialist, Catalyst Balkans

Measuring Meaningful Change: AI-Enhanced Impact Measurement in Philanthropy

  • Simone Bartalucci, Research Officer, Fondazione AIS
  • Antonia Muhr, Senior Associate, Fondazione AIS
  • Sina Sauer, Senior Associate, Fondazione AIS
  • Prof. Volker Then, CEO, Fondazione AIS

The 3 finalists of the second category were:

Guided Choices: The ethics of using algorithmic systems to shape philanthropic decision-making

  • Rhodri Davies, Pears Fellow at the Centre for Philanthropy of the University of Kent, former Head of Policy at Charities Aid Foundation

Digital Philanthropy in China: How Internet Fundraising Platforms and Artificial Intelligence are Transforming Non-Profit Governance

  • Dr. Bertram Lang, Interim Professor for the Economy and Society of China, Georg-August University Göttingen

Technological Readiness of Asia’s social sector to adopt and leverage Artificial Intelligence

  • Kithmina V. Hewage, Senior Advisor, Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS)