What happens when an ocean titan, caretaker, conservationist, innovator, and philanthropist walk into a museum with a dinosaur from 150 million years ago? BY SARAH TAM Nestled within Southeast Asia lies a vibrant marine biodiversity hotspot that serves as a lifeline for millions who rely on the oceans for food, livelihoods, and protection from natural disasters. However, oceans face multiple looming challenges: overfishing, pollution, and climate change cast large shadows over its overall health. Yet oceans, despite storing 30% of carbon emissions and absorbing 90% of global temperature rise, remain the most underfunded of all the UN Sustainable Development Goals,…
Addressing Ageing in Asia
How can we build systems that support and enable older people to live well with purpose and dignity, and remain relevant to society? BY THERESA CUA The world is greying. Asia-Pacific will likely see the fastest increase in older-populations—likely to triple between 2010 and 2050. Thus, there is a need to examine how this demographic shift will affect the very fabric of society, and whether our present structures enable people to live not just longer—but live well, with purpose and dignity. Along this thought, APC and the Tsao Foundation hosted APC members, social innovators from Ashoka, and experts who are…
Building systems leadership to meet the region’s emerging complex societal issues
BY CAROL TANDEPUTY CEO, ASIA PHILANTHROPY CIRCLE August marks 8 months since I’ve joined APC. Every day I am inspired by the creativity and tenacity of the diverse individuals and organisations of this vibrant community seeking to do good. Thank you members for welcoming me into the circle—first as Chief Strategy Officer, and now as Deputy CEO. APC also turned 8 years old in July. The world is vastly different from when APC was founded in 2015—a pandemic came and never really left, heatwaves and floods have become more intense and frequent, the era of Artificial Intelligence has begun, and whole…
Adding value to Singapore’s social sector
New and experienced funders convene to better understand the Singapore social sector, how they can add value, and how to leverage their resources most effectively. BY ABBIE JUNG, ASIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION In April 2023, APC convened a roundtable discussion to help APC members—many of whom are new to Singapore—to better understand the Singapore social sector, how they can add value, and where their resources can be most effectively channelled. APC member and National Council of Social Services (NCSS) President Anita Fam shared an overview of the social sector landscape. NCSS is an umbrella body for some 450 social sector organisations,…
Aligning win-win outcomes for social impact
In a breakfast hosted by new APC member Carl Thong, the Eagle Venture Fund shares perspectives behind their work in ESG– when more good is being done, more returns can also be made. BY YU KHING POH In a breakfast discussion hosted by new APC member Carl Thong, members heard from Wesley Lyons, Raimund Buhr, and Wade Myers from Eagle Venture Fund on their perspectives behind their focus on the “social” part of ESG, and how they champion “significant returns” with “significant impact”. They shared how older models of social entrepreneurship had inherent tensions. Creating better-quality products meant lowering profit margins,…
Scaling New Heights: Insights from the India Learning Journey
Key takeaways and highlights from APC’s India Learning Journey in April 2023. BY CAROL TAN About APC Learning Journeys APC Learning Journeys are study trips that facilitate knowledge, exchanges, and deep dives into specific issue areas, geographies and philanthropy-related themes for members. One big highlight at APC last quarter was our Learning Journey to India, led by the indefatigable Stacey Choe! India has a long and storied history in social impact, with a vibrant non-profit sector (over three million non-profit organisations!) and social innovations with impact even beyond India’s shores. Yet it remains a hidden gem, despite some pretty audacious…
What We’re Reading: The Philanthropy Transformation Initiative Report
This latest report from WINGS, a global network of philanthropy support and development organisations, focuses on enabling change, walking the talk and creating the future. BY SUE TOOMEY While APC members support a variety of social impact areas, our shared value in building inclusive and sustainable communities binds us together and drives forward the work of collaborative philanthropy to address Asia’s challenges. A June 2023 report from WINGS makes the case that not only a strategic, but a transformational approach is needed to tackle the polycrisis facing society—multiple, interconnected global threats, from the climate emergency and global pandemics to geopolitical…