Philanthropy’s Impact with Templeton World Charity Foundation President, Dr. Andrew Serazin (video)

By Templeton Staff
August 8, 2021
How can philanthropy help us understand the big questions in the universe — the “whys” of our existence?

Andrew Serazin, D.Phil., and president of Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF) summarizes the main objectives of TWCF this way: “The mission of the Foundation is to be a global catalyst for the big questions of purpose, meaning, and truth.” Impact is at the heart of the Foundation’s work. Seeding projects that can have profound change to the world’s culture within a 10-year scope is how this impact is measured.

The biggest questions, the “why” questions, are inherently difficult. TWCF hopes to encourage talented young minds to ask these questions of themselves and postulate answers based on their individual perspectives. These queries may have tremendous implications to mankind. Investment in youth, early-stage thinkers, and innovation could change a life and quite possibly the world.

Learn about Templeton World Charity Foundation's priorities.

Highlights from this installment of our award-winning “Stories of Impact” video series:

  • Andrew Serazin reminds us “There is a human story at the heart of every project. Whether it’s a child in South Africa, a distinguished scientist in Cambridge, or a religious community in New Orleans.” The cumulative “impact of all of those stories, all of those lives, all of those perspectives really provide the best picture of what we have done and what we can do as an organization.”
  • Looking forward, the Foundation aims to take a huge leap in reach, resources, and the number of projects funded.
  • “Philanthropy is not an institution, it is a love of people, and I can’t think of something better to do with one's time than the service of that goal,” says Dr. Serazin.

Read the transcript from the full interview conducted by journalist Richard Sergay featuring: Dr. Andrew Serazin, President of Templeton World Charity Foundation.


Templeton World Charity Foundation’s “Stories of Impact” videos by journalist and senior media executive Richard Sergay feature human stories and critical perspectives on breakthroughs about the universe’s big questions. The inspiring narratives and observations in these award-winning videos portray the individual and societal impacts of the projects that bring to life TWCF-supported research.