Organising for impact: NextWorld reimagines the intersection of investments and philanthropy

Working paper

This case study explores the organisational design and management of NextWorld, an ecosystem of multiple distinct entities where investments and philanthropy coexist under one roof. Established by Sebastien and Julie Lepinard in 2008 and operating across the US and Europe with assets of 1.1 billion USD, the founders describe NextWorld as an ‘integrated capital organisation’ (ICO) – one that seeks to bring together the investment experts who generate capital growth with the philanthropic experts who deploy grants strategically. Investments and philanthropy operate on equal footing and share a common Objectives and Key Results (OKR) framework as well as organisational resources and space. NextWorld’s journey offers insights about how to bridge different mindsets and expertise across investment advisory and philanthropy to harness the potential synergies that arise from collaboration between the two. The case study also shows how an innovative organisational model based on stewardship principles can be sustained through ownership and governance structures as well as the development of strong leadership both within and beyond the family.

Authors: Mantri, G; Kustin, B; Besharov, M

• Publication status: Published
• Publisher: Ownership Project 2.0, Skoll Centre, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
• Pages: 1-11
• Series: Ownership Project Case Study Series
• Place of publication: Oxford
• Publication date: 2025-07-01
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-zbywoqndv
• Paper number: 1
• Language: English
• Keywords: Ownership Project 2.0