The problem is, Ismid explained, how to make sure that the huge potential could reach the right target to help develop and empower the community and not creating dependency on donors. Meanwhile, some NGOs which directly involved in community empowerment usually rely on foreign donors. PFI is trying to facilitate by seeking seek common grounds concerning the interest of donors, beneficiaries and intermediary organizations. This could be carried out by facilitating cooperation programs between companies and NGOs or alms – channeling institutions.

Erna Witoelar, UN Special Envoy for MDGs, said the government’s fund allocation for social affairs as well as additional resources from philanthropy should be enough to overcome various basic problems such as poverty, unemployment and health. However, we are still unable to see the benefit of such a huge sum of fund on the beneficiaries because the programs did not correspond with the need of the community and they were not carried out in sustainable way to empower the community. Erna said that in 2003 when the philanthropic movement was beginning to strengthen in Indonesia, there were around 30 companies which joined.

In the past five years, more companies are involved in philanthropic movement.  In the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster in Aceh, we can see the people’s social solidarity increasing. “Indonesia’s MDGs target concerning poverty, education and health are quite difficult to achieve, even though we already have the resources. In the future, the world will be facing tougher challenges due to climate change and more frequent disaster. Therefore, we need to work harder together," Erna said.

Sapto Sakti, Sampoerna Foundation Communication Director, said many companies that just initiated their CSR programs are focusing on charity. However, in later development, they start carrying out more constructive programs to empower the community. To illustrate the huge potentials of philanthropy, Dompet Dhuafa managed to raise over Rp 59 billion in 2006 from ZISWAF (alms, donation, humanitarian aid, sacrifice and grant - zakat, infak, kemanusiaan, kurban, and wakaf) Trillions of rupiah could be raised per year by alms – channeling institutions and companies’ CSR programs as well as other resources.