In Southeast Asia, impact ventures serving Base of Pyramid communities—especially those using non-tech approaches—face major challenges. They lack access to ecosystem support (e.g., tailored advisory, market infrastructure) and long-term strategic growth capital, which is usually geared towards commercial tech start-ups. Compared to Africa and South Asia, Southeast Asia’s social enterprise ecosystem is less developed, limiting the region’s potential to tackle systemic poverty at scale. These ventures (typically 2–3 years in, with proven impact models) have outgrown the initial support of start-up competitions and smaller philanthropic grants, but are not eligible for commercial investments due to their higher risk profiles, leaving…

BY ESTHER CHANG, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Looking back on my first three months, I feel both energised and humbled. What has struck me most is how central trust is to APC’s mission—fostering collaboration at a time when trust can feel fragile, yet is more vital than ever to building a better future. In nearly every conversation with members, trust has emerged as the recurring theme. Many have shared how much they value APC as a safe community—a place to exchange openly, connect meaningfully, and act collectively. It’s clear that APC is not just about relationships, but about cultivating a layered…

BY BELINDA TANOTO, TANOTO FOUNDATION Philanthropy stands at a pivotal moment. Across our sector, many of us recognise that doing good must also mean doing better. With vast resources channelled into solving society’s toughest challenges, the question we continue to ask ourselves is: how effectively are we using evidence to ensure that we maximise impact? At Tanoto Foundation, we strive to be evidence-based, data-driven, and impact-first. Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) helps us design, deliver and scale solutions to improve lives. This is why we commissioned the ‘Evidence Behind Better Philanthropy’ study, in partnership with the Centre for Evidence and…

BY KOON PENG OI, SENIOR MANAGER A recent joint UNICEF–WHO–World Bank study reveals a sobering reality: one in five Malaysian children under five are stunted. That rate is nearly double that of countries at a similar level of economic development — and unlike regional peers such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, Malaysia’s numbers have worsened over the past decade. The official figures also exclude undocumented children — refugees, stateless, or from migrant families — who are often even more underserved. The true scale is therefore likely even greater. Stunting isn’t simply about a child being small for their age. It…

BY ANASTASIA KURNIADI, ASSOCIATE APC recently organised a discussion with members to co-create a shared climate vision as the community embarks on the next three years (2026-2028) of its Climate Strategy. Surfacing renewed focus and priorities shaped by the evolving climate and geopolitical realities in the region, members had an opportunity to reflect on their individual and collective agency to drive change, explore what’s holding us back as a community, and how to collectively unlock our potential to deliver climate impact. With over 10 members attending, climate change is growing in urgency among the community as a global challenge to…

BY LAURENCE LIEN, CHAIRMAN, ASIA PHILANTHROPY CIRCLE Today, APC turns ten.  We celebrated this milestone a few weeks early at the end of June, gathering members—old and new—before the summer holidays swept everyone away. It felt less like an event and more like a reunion—of peers who’ve journeyed together over the past decade, and who continue to push the boundaries of what philanthropy in Asia could look like.  When Stanley Tan, Cherie Nursalim, Tan Bee Wan, Tao Ze, Matthias Terheggen, and I first came together to imagine what APC could be, we had a bold ambition: to build a network…

The Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival is a unique storytelling platform that celebrates Asia’s rich cultural tapestry, innovative spirit, and drive for social impact. Through two award categories — Best Micro Film and Best Project — the festival spotlights compelling stories from filmmakers, universities, and NGOs, while supporting impactful charitable initiatives across the region. It also provides a learning platform for them to share knowledge, connect, and build a more inclusive and sustainable Asia. Inspiring Asia was first showcased on the Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) platform, a membership network of over 60 philanthropists across 12 markets. Since its inception, the…

BY VERONICA YOW, ASIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION In March 2025, Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC), in collaboration with Asia Community Foundation (ACF) and elea Foundation convened a dynamic group of funders, impact leaders, and social entrepreneurs for a candid and insightful session titled Unlocking Impact: A Deep Dive into elea’s Impact Measurement Methodology. Through the real-life case of BagoSphere—a human-centric venture upskilling Southeast Asia’s frontline workforce—participants gained a behind-the-scenes look at how elea’s methodology is applied not just to measure, but to manage and amplify social impact. The event served both as a learning session and a reflection on what it takes…

BY LIONEL LI, CHAIRMAN, LI FOUNDATION In May, I attended APC’s Indonesia Learning Journey, a week-long trip to Bali, Jakarta, and Kudus to learn about Indonesia’s place-based model of giving and philanthropy’s role in issues like environmental sustainability, vocational training, and sports development. I enjoyed the visit greatly and valued the opportunity to hear different perspectives from our APC members. Visiting the projects and programs run by Indonesian members was not only eye-opening but also inspired me to think further and deeper about my own practice of philanthropy, as well as how to sustain giving through the generations. This trip…

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…