BY JASMIEN KHIN, SENIOR ASSOCIATE Together with APC members and staff, I recently had the privilege of attending “Catalyzing Change through Purposeful Philanthropy”, an event organised by the Thai Young Philanthropist Network (TYPN) and taejai.com, a crowdfunding platform for social change, and ChangeFusion, an innovation ecosystem builder. The event brought together academics, social innovators, and philanthropists who aim to revive the role of purposeful philanthropy to address social issues in Thailand. APC was there in support of our members who are actively supporting and shaping Thailand’s philanthropic ecosystem. Historically, philanthropy as charity in Thailand has been closely tied to Buddhist…
From Crisis to Creativity: Innovating for Climate in Southeast Asia
BY ANASTASIA KURNIADI, ASSOCIATE AND SARAH TAM, CLIMATE LEAD Climate change is humanity’s biggest threat, but it is also igniting a new era of human creativity and innovation, with Asia emerging as a beacon in the global fight against climate change. (Spoiler alert: Philanthropists are part of the equation!) Breakthrough Energy, founded by Bill Gates, focuses on five key sectors known as the Five Grand Challenges, which are the main sources of global greenhouse gases linked to the way we live, eat, work, travel, and make things. We’ll breakdown each of the five grand challenges below and point to some…
A People-Centered Path: Reflections from the Southeast Asia Climate Philanthropy Forum 2024
BY ANASTASIA KURNIADI, ASSOCIATE Nearly a year after COP28, the call for a people-centered approach to climate action has never been louder. The impacts of climate change are increasingly felt in Southeast Asia, ranging from record-breaking temperatures to intense tropical cyclones, affecting the millions of livelihoods across the region. As the urgency to amplify the voices and realities of the Global South becomes more widely recognized, so does the need for more unified collaboration within the region in order to turn goals into meaningful action. The first-ever Southeast Asia Climate Philanthropy Forum arrived at a critical time, bringing together 200…
Youth-led Climate Action in Southeast Asia: Lessons from the GFC Spark Fund
BY JAZZ TAN, APC INTERN How can youth-led initiatives drive impactful climate action in Southeast Asia, and what can funders learn from their success? Southeast Asia is on the front lines of the climate crisis. Rising sea levels, extreme weather, and environmental degradation are not just threats but urgent realities. While traditional, top-down solutions often fail to address localised issues, youth-led initiatives are emerging as transformative forces for change. In June 2024, the Global Fund for Children (GFC) gathered philanthropists and changemakers in Singapore to share the successes of The Spark Fund, a youth-led initiative investing in groups tackling climate…
Building Fulfilled Lives: Social Connections, Lifelong Learning, and Aging Well
BY YU KHING POH, PROJECT LEAD, APC’S ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY PROJECT At the 100 Year Life Dialogue Series held its 2nd session on 28 August morning. The theme was on the importance of social connections and lifelong learning for longevity and successful aging. Mary Ann Tsao and her team from Tsao Foundation led us through a valuable exploration of the interconnectedness between social relationships, personal growth, and successful aging, emphasising the importance of fostering strong social bonds and engaging in lifelong learning as essential components of a fulfilling and meaningful life. The following 3 key take-aways emerged: 1. Social connections…
From Vision to Impact: A Reflection on Giving
BY FIFI SETIAWATY PANGESTU, APC BOARD MEMBER My own journey into philanthropy began several years ago when I joined the Bakti Barito Foundation. Those early days were marked by moments of discovery, learning, and the making of important decisions. During that time, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact that generosity and compassion can have on the lives of others. It was through these experiences that I came to understand the true potential of philanthropy—not only as a force for good, but as a tool to create lasting, systemic change in society. As I reflect on those formative years, I am…
Growing new arms, building new bridges
BY LAURENCE LIENCHAIRMAN, ASIA PHILANTHROPY CIRCLE I am always asked how Asian philanthropy is different from Western philanthropy. Now, I finally have an answer to hand out! At APC, we recently published a piece called ‘Observations on the Essence of Asia Philanthropy’. It has only 10 short points; so do read it and tell me what you think. These points are distilled from nearly 16 years of full-time philanthropy sector experience! Some of the points we make are around Asian giving being rooted in deep cultural values and beliefs, and believing in identity-based giving. Many in Asia are influenced by…
BRAC visit illuminates progress and challenges ahead
BY JASMINE KHIN APC’s recent visit to Dhaka highlighted progress in ethical recruitment, training, and support for Bangladeshi migrant workers. For over two years, APC has been working with BoP Hub and non-profit organisation BRAC on the Migrant Workers Project. In 2023, we received approval from the Singapore government to launch the BCA Sandbox Scheme, which enables employers to bring in Bangladeshi construction workers at low fees (~SGD 3,000) and alleviating the financial burden on workers–who often pay upwards of SGD 10,000 to migrate. In February this year, the APC team–Koon Peng Ooi, Carol Tan, and myself–together with Tony Tan…
Reshaping grantmaking practice by EMpowering youths
BY JASMINE KHIN, ASSOCIATE Today’s complex issues require not only strategic and collaborative philanthropy, but also a strong, supportive ecosystem to unlock its full potential. In September 2023, APC hosted a sharing session with EMpower, an organisation dedicated to enabling youths, particularly girls, to exercise agency and have a greater say in decisions that shape their lives. This gathering brought together APC members from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam to learn more about what they do. Over the past two decades, EMpower has forged partnerships with 125 organisations across 15 emerging markets to centre youth protagonism—that is, putting youth at…
The 3Cs of venn2023: Community, Capital, and Collaboration
BY ANUSHIA KANDASAMY, APC MALAYSIA REPRESENTATIVE Today’s complex issues require not only strategic and collaborative philanthropy, but also a strong, supportive ecosystem to unlock its full potential. This year’s venn—APC’s annual member gathering—brought three themes to the forefront: community, capital, and collaboration in philanthropy amidst an ever-changing, complex, and volatile world. In a content-packed two days bringing together more than 100 members and guests, venn2023 presented the unique opportunity for participants to engage with a cross-section of organisations both in Singapore and the region, exchange ideas and experiences with one another, and learn from inspiring leaders with two stellar keynote…