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…

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…

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? …

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…