BY REBECCA LIM, PROJECT LEAD, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY According to the Asian Development Bank, Asia and the Pacific are undergoing a profound demographic shift. With longer life expectancies and declining fertility rates, the region’s population is ageing rapidly. By 2050, one in four people will be over the age of 60. The health, social, and economic implications of this shift are far-reaching. Singapore is at the forefront of this transition. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above. An estimated 122,000 seniors are expected to live alone, and around 100,000 may require assistance with at least…
Asian Philanthropy in a Changing World: Reflections from an Evening with Bill Gates
BY ANASTASIA KURNIADI, ASSOCIATE May marked a milestone month for our organisation and for the wider philanthropic community in Asia. We had an amazing opportunity to bring together our members and the Gates Foundation on the sidelines of Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025—in a conversation that included Bill Gates himself. In a record speed of 30 minutes, the discussion brought about a wealth of insights—sharp, relevant, and deeply resonant—as we find ourselves at a global inflection point in an age of uncertainty. Below are key reflections from the evening, which brought together funders committed to shaping a better future. Hope, Grounded…
Carrying the Torch, Lighting New Paths
BY ESTHER CHANG, CEO When I think about what first drew me to Asia Philanthropy Circle, it was the same spirit that continues to guide me today: a belief that when people come together with courage, generosity, and purpose—real, lasting change is possible. It is a true honour to step into this role as APC’s new CEO. I have always admired the way this community brings philanthropists together across borders—not only to exchange ideas, but to take bold, collective action on some of the most pressing challenges facing Asia. That kind of work does not happen by accident. It takes…
Philanthropy in a Post-Aid World
BY LAURENCE LIEN, CHAIRMAN, ASIA PHILANTHROPY CIRCLE This year APC celebrates our 10th anniversary. How time has flown! I often worry about not achieving the impact that we should have had by now, but this year I have been able to be more reflective and can see how much so many of our members have grown in their philanthropic practice–hopefully we contributed to that–and how our collaborative projects have made a real difference. As a community, we do not celebrate enough what our members have accomplished, both individually and collectively. 2025 is the time to change that. Celebration is not about…
An Insightful Homecoming: Reflections on Our Exploratory Trip for APC’s Indonesia Learning Journey 2025
BY ANASTASIA KURNIADI, ASSOCIATE Back in January, Koon Peng and I embarked on an exploratory trip across three cities to lay the groundwork for APC’s upcoming Indonesia Learning Journey. This journey is designed to bring APC members and guests closer to Indonesia’s philanthropic landscape, connecting them with key actors and immersing them in the country’s rich local contexts. Each year, APC organises a Learning Journey to dive deeper into the philanthropy sector of a country or a region—and this year’s edition is particularly special. With some of Indonesia’s leading philanthropists among our own APC members, they have graciously invited our…
An ECD Collaborative is Born!
BY EILEEN CHONG, LEAD, INSIGHTS & INNOVATION It has been three years since 12 APC members and partners first banded together to commission a regional early childhood development (ECD) landscape study which mapped the gaps in ECD policies in four countries – China, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore. After it was published in July 2023, the report was shared widely with key public and private stakeholders and went on to spark many conversations within the membership. How could we tackle these gaps that the report outlined, and in what sequence? Who should we journey with, so we can get there faster? …
APC in Thailand: Supporting Next Gen Philanthropists Building the Social Impact Ecosystem
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…