Does Collective Impact really work? Results from 25 case studies

By Valentina Ko & Stacey Choe The idea of collective impact is quite central to APC and our work but what is at stake is figuring out how to make it work effectively.  Given that and with our members in mind, we referred to a recent study conducted by Spark Policy Institute and ORS Impact on 25 such cases, outlining what are the key lessons in making collective impact work; what kind of projects they are good for, what are the critical ingredients; what can be applicable for us. Collective Impact Study: It has been about seven years since John…

Learning Through APC: Four things I learnt making a mid-career switch into the development sector

By Atikah Amalina At the end of January this year, I took a leap of faith and left the teaching service after four years.  I was ready to explore other options, primarily my longstanding interest in the development sector.  Throughout my time in teaching, I’d remained involved in various work in the non-profit sector on the side, including running programmes with orphanages in Batam, coordinating bake sales to channel funds to charity causes and organising an awareness-raising trip to a refugee camp in Aceh. Soon after leaving, I had the opportunity to work and learn with Asia Philanthropy Circle, a…

APC Funders Roundtable in KL: Culture and Faith: Why we need more Inclusivity

By Wei Kong In response to APC member concerns on the rise of cultural and religious intolerance in the region, in collaboration with APC, YTL Foundation hosted the 14th Funders roundtable in Kuala Lumper on the topic of Culture and Faith: why we need more inclusivity.  The roundtable explored how private funders can play a role in promoting tolerance and understanding between different religious and ethnic groups. To set the stage for a well-informed discussion an expert panel outlined the current situation in Malaysia and the region, addressed misconceptions, and explored approaches to tackle them.  The panel consisted of: Rita…

Working with ASEAN to optimise the power of collective action in philanthropy

by Anjali Shivananda The 7th ASEAN Public-Private-People Partnership (PPP) Forum was organised by the Ministry of Social and Family Development of Singapore on 18 July 2018 at Grand Hyatt.  Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) CEO Laurence Lien moderated a session that featured the three finalists of the ASEAN Social Impact Awards.  They were consistent in their message of needing to create community ownership and to empower communities to be part of the solution, and not just be a recipient of aid. Laurence also spoke on “The Role of Philanthropists in Collaboration and Partnerships for an Innovative and Resilient ASEAN”.  Laurence said…

How is Asia faring in the Global Philanthropy Report?

by Anjali Shivananda The Global Philanthropy Report released by Harvard Kennedy School’s Hauser Institute for Civil Society, and funded by UBS and Ford Foundation, aims to understand the magnitude, vitality and impact of global institutional philanthropy.  The study identified 260,000 foundations in 38 countries (+ Hong Kong) and deals with various elements of philanthropy such as the global scale of foundations, its age, classification, financial resources, their priorities and operational approaches. One of the findings that stood out in the report is the age of the sector, where three-quarters of the foundations studied being younger than 25 years old.  Viewing…

Singapore Roundtable: Discussing Inequality in Singapore

by Atikah Amalina APC members and guests gathered at Quantedge Foundation on 7 May 2018 to discuss inequality in Singapore, together with Professor Teo You Yenn, Associate Professor and Head of Sociology at Nanyang Technology University. Dr Teo’s book, “This is How Inequality Looks Like”, was published earlier this year, and includes real case-studies that flesh out the day-to-day experiences of the low income, gleaned through her years of on-the-ground research on the issue. The discussion around inequality is a necessarily brave one as it is one of relativities.  It is about looking at the fact that some people lack…

Why a Green Paper on Effective Public-Philanthropic Collaboration in ASEAN?

As social problems becoming increasingly complex, APC believes that more can be done if governments and philanthropists work in concert. There is value in coming together to align goals and harness each other’s unique strengths. This would leverage the collective intelligence and capacity for better social outcomes.   The Green Paper on Effective Public-Philanthropic Collaboration in ASEAN is a first attempt to draw attention to the benefits of governments and philanthropists working together for social good. It examines the current public-philanthropic landscape in ASEAN and suggests practical ways that governments and philanthropists can work together in the near to long…

ASEAN Philanthropy Dialogue: How can Government and Philanthropy collaborate more effectively?

by Atikah Amalina Philanthropists and government officials need to do more to build mutual trust and to align vision and strategies, in order to reap the synergies from public-philanthropic collaboration (PPC). Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) members, ASEAN ministers and senior officials, and the ASEAN Secretariat discussed this and more at the inaugural ASEAN Philanthropy Dialogue in Singapore on 21 March 2018. Hosted by APC and part of the fringe events accompanying Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship, the Dialogue provided a platform for active discussion on PPC in growing social impact jointly. The benefits of PPC and the various modalities of its engagement…

Indonesian social entrepreneur on micro-hydropower wins inaugural ASEAN Social Impact Awards

by Atikah Amalina The inaugural ASEAN Social Impact Awards culminated in the awards presentation on 21 March 2018 at the Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore. Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) members, ASEAN ministers, senior officials, and other philanthropists and social sector leaders gathered to celebrate and highlight the power of social entrepreneurs and the positive transformational changes they can make to the communities they serve. Six award finalists, who were chosen out of 160 applications, had the opportunity to showcase their work at the event. Stanley Tan, Chairman of APC and the awards committee, opened the ceremony with a call for…

The Global Landscape of Philanthropy report by WINGS

Read the full report here and share your thoughts with us! From a description of various forms of individual giving to the growing importance of community philanthropy and structured, institutional giving, the current report is an effort to bring back the diversity of the field of philanthropy at the center of the debate, by drawing a comprehensive and provocative picture of current trends and challenges of the field. The report also raises some of the questions and issues most critical and central to its development – from technology and shrinking civic space to power dynamics within philanthropy practice and concepts, to the…