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THE SYNERGOS INSTITUTE INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 133392006 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE Q300 · International Affairs · Medium ($1M-$10M) · synergos.org
revenue
$5.6M
expenses
$8.1M
net assets
$21.0M
employees
17
program ratio
79%
mission · from form 990

THE SYNERGOS INSTITUTE IS A GLOBAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS SOLVE COMPLEX ISSUES AROUND THE WORLD.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Synergos Institute is a global nonprofit that advances systemic social change by cultivating collaborative leadership across sectors. It builds networks of philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, and civil society leaders, and supports multistakeholder partnerships in countries including Nigeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, and South Africa. Its approach, called "Bridging Leadership," emphasizes trust-building, inner development, and collective action to address complex challenges like poverty, inequity, and food systems transformation.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $2.20M
    NETWORKS - SYNERGOS MANAGES GLOBAL AND REGIONAL NETWORKS OF LEADERS IN PHILANTHROPY AND CIVIL SOCIETY, INCLUDING THE GLOBAL PHILANTHROPISTS CIRCLE (GPC), THE PIONEERS NETWORK OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS IN THE ARAB WORLD AND THE GLOBAL SYNERGOS SENIOR FELLOWS. THE GPC WORKS WITH PRIVATE PHILANTHROPISTS TO LEVERAGE THEIR RESOURCES AND INCREASE THE IMPACT OF THEIR PHILANTHROPY. THE ARAB WORLD PROGRAM WORKS WITH LEADERS IN EGYPT, PALESTINE, JORDAN, LEBANON, AND MORROCCO WHO LEAD SOCIAL ENTERPRISES THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. SYNERGOS' SENIOR FELLOWS IS A GLOBAL NETWORK OF CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING PROVERTY AND INEQUITY.
  2. #2 $789K
    SEE SCHEDULE OPARTNERSHIPS - SYNERGOS BUILDS COLLABORATIONS ON ISSUES OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL IMPORTANCE, HELPING PARTNERS CREATE SYSTEMIC CHANGE AND IMPROVED LIVES THROUGH BRIDGING LEADERSHIP. IN NIGERIA, SYNERGOS WORKS WITH STATE MINISTRIES OF AGRICULTURE AND OTHERS TO ENACT MULTISTAKEHOLDER APPROACHES TO AGRICULTURE, ENGAGING GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE SECTOR, CIVIL SOCIETY, AND SMALLHOLDER FARMS. IN ETHIOPIA, SYNERGOS SUPPORTS THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE TO ENGAGE AGRICULTURE SECTOR PARTNERS, INCLUDING EFFORTS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND HOUSEHOLD INCOMES OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN AGRICULTURAL COMMERCIALIZATION CLUSTERS FOR HORTICULTURE. IN SOUTH AFRICA, SYNERGOS IS DEVELOPING MUNICIPAL AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FOR IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN COMMUNTIES. IN BANGLADESH, SYNERGOS IS LEADING A COALITION OF PARTNERS FROM ACROSS SECTORS TO SCALE INTEGRATED COMMUNITY-BASED CHILDCARE CENTERS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING DROWNING PREVENTION. IN BRAZIL, SYNERGOS STRENGTHENS COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP CAPACITY FOR IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS AND WELLBEING OF THE COUNTRY'S PUBLIC HEALTHCARE WORKERS. IN MENA, SYNERGOS PROMOTES SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY CHALLENGES INCLUDING A YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM IN TUNISIA. IN MEXICO, SYNERGOS PROVIDES TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO LEADERS FROM ACROSS SECTORS FOR COLLABORATIVE ACTION ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES. THESE COUNTRY PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE DRIVEN BY BRIDGING LEADERSHIP AS THE ORGANIZATION'S APPROACH TO EFFECTING LASTING SOCIAL CHANGE ON COMPLEX CHALLENGES OF POVERTY AND SOCIAL INJUSTICE.
named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Bridging Leadership Workshops
Immersive leadership programs that equip emerging and established leaders with the mindset and tools for collaborative, trust-based leadership to tackle complex social issues.
David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Awards
Annual awards recognizing individuals who exemplify bridging leadership by building trust and enabling collective action for social change.
Global Philanthropists Circle (GPC)
A global network that works with private philanthropists to leverage their resources and increase the impact of their giving through collaboration, learning, and bridging leadership.
Global Synergos Senior Fellows
Global network of civil society leaders committed to addressing poverty and inequity through collaborative leadership and systemic change.
Pioneers for Social Entrepreneurship
Regional network supporting social entrepreneurs in the Arab World and Saudi Arabia to develop local solutions to social and economic challenges.
Shifting Food Systems Collaborative
Multistakeholder initiative bringing together global leaders to accelerate impact in food systems through collective action and bridging leadership.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 2 activities
    • Advancing bridging leadership through global leadership networks
      Operates and manages global and regional leadership networks—including the Global Philanthropists Circle, the Pioneers Network of social entrepreneurs in the Arab World, and the Global Synergos Senior Fellows—to strengthen civil society, philanthropy, and collaborative leadership across sectors and geographies.
    • Reducing social isolation among children and youth in Southern Africa
      Implements the Social Connectedness Program in Southern Africa to address social isolation among children and youth living in poverty by providing trainings and tools to multiplier organizations to scale impact.
  • Global Sustainability Convenings & Forums 2 activities
    • Facilitating multistakeholder collaborations for systemic change
      Builds and supports multistakeholder collaborations in Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Brazil, Tunisia, and Mexico to address systemic challenges in agriculture, public service delivery, early childhood development, healthcare, and civic engagement by aligning diverse actors including government, private sector, and civil society.
    • Hosting convenings, retreats, and digital platforms for knowledge exchange
      Hosts in-person and virtual convenings, retreats, dialogues, and online events—including gatherings in New York, Mexico, Bali, and the Yucatán Peninsula—and operates a private online network platform and mobile app to facilitate peer exchange, collective sensemaking, and knowledge sharing among global philanthropists and changemakers.
  • Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Delivering leadership development programs using the Bridging Leadership approach
      Offers structured leadership development programs such as the Bridging Leadership for Social Investment Program and three-year fellowships for civil society leaders, featuring peer learning, workshops, learning journeys, and access to experts to build trust, collaboration, and collective action on complex social issues.
  • Neighborhood Civic Engagement 1 activity
    • Enhancing local governance and socio-economic development in South Africa
      Implements programs in the Eastern Cape to improve local governance by building collaboration among civil society, the Makana East community, and Makana Municipality to strengthen service delivery and promote socio-economic development.
  • Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
    • Recognizing bridging leadership through awards and public acknowledgment
      Hosts the annual David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Awards ceremony in New York City to recognize individuals who exemplify bridging leadership in advancing collective action for social change.
  • Smallholder Agricultural Development 1 activity
    • Strengthening agricultural systems and smallholder farmer capacity in Ethiopia
      Works in Ethiopia since 2011 to increase individual and institutional capacity in the agricultural sector through training of trainers and farmers—with a focus on youth and women—and fostering alliances along value chains to improve productivity, income, and livelihoods for 30,000 smallholder farmers and their families.
  • Uncategorized 5 activities
    • Advocating for inclusive agricultural policy and investment in Nigeria
      Supported the formal launch of state-level agriculture policies in Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, and Niger States; facilitated development of Nigeria's first National Gender Action Plan for agriculture; and stimulated over $2 million in agricultural investment for smallholder farmers in crop and livestock value chains in Kaduna State.
    • Developing data and innovation solutions for agricultural transformation
      Served as technical partner in launching Nigeria’s first Agriculture Intelligence Unit with a real-time data dashboard to improve decision-making and developed a prototype for converting cassava peels into livestock feed to support sustainable agricultural practices.
    • Improving early childhood development and community safety in Bangladesh
      Collaborated with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Bangladesh Shishu Academy to design and launch the government-approved Integrated Community-Based Center for Child Care, Protection, and Swim-Safe Facilities Project to enhance child protection and care at the community level.
    • Providing strategic advisory and consulting services to philanthropists
      Offers personalized guidance, strategic resources, and consulting services to individual philanthropists, families, groups, and organizations to strengthen their philanthropic strategies and impact.
    • Transforming public sector institutions in support of national development goals
      Supports government institutions such as Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture to transform human resource systems into business-driven, high-impact models aligned with national strategic objectives.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$5.58M
Contributions & grants$4.44M80%
Program service revenue$421K8%
Investment income$752K13%
Other revenue$-30K
expenses
Total expenses$8.11M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$2.73M
Grants paid out$1.17M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$22.28M
Cash$2.59M
Investments$18.19M
Liabilities$1.27M
Net assets$21.02M
Liquid reserves30.8 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +17.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 4
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
CAMILLE MASSEY PRESIDENT & CEO 35 $332K
JACKIE KAZANTZIS DIRECTOR, FINANCE & OPERATIONS 35 $181K
CHONG-LIM LEE SENIOR DIRECTOR, GLOBAL PROGRAM 35 $176K
MEDINA A OLALEKAN SENIOR MANAGER, HR & OPERATIONS 35 $101K
board members · 14
  • ADELE SIMMONS — DIRECTOR
  • DAFNA TAPIERO — DIRECTOR
  • DARREN MANELSKI — DIRECTOR
  • ELLIOTT DONNELLEY II — VICE CHAIR
  • GARY FORD THRU 112024 — DIRECTOR
  • MARCOS DE MORAES THRU 112024 — DIRECTOR
  • MAYRA HERNANDEZ GONZALEZ — DIRECTOR
  • MONICA WINSOR — DIRECTOR
  • PASCALE TERRA DEAU — DIRECTOR
  • PEGGY DULANY — FOUNDER & CHAIR
  • RAZA JAFAR — DIRECTOR
  • SALLY TIMPSON — DIRECTOR
  • SERGE DUMONT — DIRECTOR
  • UDAY KHEMKA — DIRECTOR
relationships · 42

Who they work with

  • A Growing Culture Partner — Partnered with Synergos on the Shifting Food Systems learning journey.
  • AGRA Funder — Funded the launch of Nigeria’s Agriculture Intelligence Unit, with Synergos Nigeria as technical partner.
  • Agricultural Transformation Agency Partner — Works together to strengthen partnerships and develop systemic solutions in the agricultural sector.
  • Agriculture Research Institute Partner — Involved in stakeholder engagement to improve outcomes for smallholder farmers.
  • Alliance For Good Partner — Hosted the Next Generation Philanthropy Leaders Fellowship Program, during which Synergos led a workshop.
  • Bangladesh Shishu Academy Partner — Collaborated with Synergos on the design of the Integrated Community-Based Center for Child Care, Protection, and Swim-Safe Facilities Project.
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies Partner — Represented at the launching ceremony of the Integrated Community-Based Center for Child Care, Protection, and Swim-Safe Facilities Project.
  • Centre For Exponential Change Partner — Co-hosts the InvokEd 5.0 event with Synergos on the theme of “Capital & Support.”
  • Collaborative Communities Partner — Hosts spaces for conversation, shared learning, and collective action on issues such as climate change and food systems.
  • David Rockefeller Senior Partner — Co-hosted founding events for the Global Philanthropists Circle with Peggy Dulany.
  • Federal Cooperatives Agency Partner — Engaged in efforts to improve agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods.
  • Global Philanthropists Circle Network — Hosts and manages the Global Philanthropists Circle, a network of 100 engaged philanthropic families and social investors.
  • Global Philanthropists Circle Network — Part of Synergos' global network of philanthropists working to shift power and resources to affected communities.
  • Government of Benue State Partner — Collaborated on the development and launch of the state's first agriculture policy and agricultural transformation roadmap.
  • Government of Kaduna State Partner — Supported agricultural investment in crop and livestock value chains and collaborated on policy development and coordination platforms.
  • Government of Kogi State Partner — Collaborated on the development and launch of the state's first agriculture policy and agricultural transformation roadmap.
  • Government of Niger State Partner — Collaborated on the development and launch of the state's first agriculture policy.
  • Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit Partner — Published a contribution by Synergos’ Senior Manager in Bangladesh in its newsletter.
  • Kagiso Institute for Inner Work Partner — Partner in facilitating bridging leadership work to improve local governance in the Eastern Cape.
  • Kagiso Trust Partner — Partner in facilitating bridging leadership work to improve local governance in the Eastern Cape.
  • Ministry of Agriculture Partner — Collaborates on transforming human resource systems and improving agricultural service delivery and smallholder farmer outcomes.
  • Ministry of Agriculture (Ethiopia) Government — Collaborates with Synergos to implement agricultural commercialization initiatives and strengthen human resource systems in the agriculture sector.
  • Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Partner — Engaged in efforts to improve agricultural service delivery and smallholder farmer livelihoods.
  • Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Partner — Collaborated with Synergos on the design of the Integrated Community-Based Center for Child Care, Protection, and Swim-Safe Facilities Project.
  • Peggy Dulany Partner — Co-hosted founding events for the Global Philanthropists Circle with David Rockefeller Senior.
  • Regional Bureaus of Agriculture Partner — Collaborates at regional levels to strengthen agricultural systems and service delivery.
  • Royal National Lifeboat Institution Partner — Represented at the launching ceremony of the Integrated Community-Based Center for Child Care, Protection, and Swim-Safe Facilities Project.
  • Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness Partner — Collaborates with Synergos in advancing the global movement for social connectedness, particularly in Southern Africa.
  • Samuel Family Foundation Funder — Supports the establishment and implementation of Synergos’ Social Connectedness Program in Southern Africa.
  • Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives Partner — Co-hosts the InvokEd 5.0 event with Synergos on the theme of “Capital & Support.”
+ 12 more
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Bridging Leadership for Systemic Change
    methodology: bridging_leadership
    By developing bridging leadership—integrating inner work, systems thinking, and collaborative capacity—we enable diverse stakeholders to build trust and engage in collective action that addresses systemic challenges, because sustainable solutions require cross-sector relationships and shared agency.
  • Collective Action Through Trust and Shared Values
    methodology: collective_action
    By promoting collective action grounded in trust, inclusion, equity, and shared values, we produce more effective and sustainable philanthropy, because systemic change emerges from coordinated efforts among aligned stakeholders rather than isolated interventions.
  • Inner Work as Foundation for Systems Change
    methodology: inner_work
    By cultivating self-awareness, humility, empathy, and resilience through inner work, we transform how leaders engage with complex systems, because lasting social change begins with the internal transformation of those leading it.