Giving Compass' Take:

• The Rockefeller Foundation highlights research on Chinese philanthropy. As China’s economic power rises on the global stage, so do its ambitions to make an impact elsewhere.

• In what ways can China help its neighboring countries achieve sustainability and stability? How will its increase in philanthropy affect America? 

• Here's another article on the development of philanthropy in China. 

Philanthropy in China has grown exponentially, with charitable giving growing 20% year-on-year, compared to GDP growth of between 6% and 7% annually. Despite being a new joiner to global philanthropy (interest in charitable giving surged in 2008 following the Sichuan earthquake and has been growing ever since), Chinese philanthropy is evolving from reactive or cause-driven giving to designing interventions for long-term, transformative change.

According to a report released this month by AVPN (Asian Venture Philanthropy Network), supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, the total amount of charitable giving in China had quadrupled between 2009 and last year, reaching $23.4 billion. Meanwhile, the number of social enterprises registered in the country increased by 17% between 2017 and 2018. This increase has not only nurtured an ecosystem that enables investors to make impact-conscious decisions, but also fosters talent and trust within the sector to develop the next generation of changemakers.

China is undoubtedly beginning to flex its muscles as a catalyst and driver for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Historically, philanthropic activity in the country sought to secure the fundamentals of well-being, with most Chinese philanthropists focusing their giving in education, poverty alleviation, social welfare, healthcare and disaster relief at home. But as China’s economic power rises on the global stage, so do its ambitions to make an impact elsewhere. Chinese philanthropists are beginning to look further afield, and they are leveraging their strengths in technology to drive new models of giving.

Read the full article about philanthropy in China by Deepali Khanna and Naina Batra at The Rockefeller Foundation.