On 12 March 2026, Li Foundation took part in the launch of the Moonshot Philanthropy report at Singapore Management University’s Business Families Institute. Bringing together philanthropists, foundation leaders, and ecosystem partners, the session explored a central paradox in philanthropy: while societal challenges are increasingly complex and demand innovative systems change, funding approaches often remain cautious, fragmented, and short-term. Director of Li Foundation, Candy, attended the launch, underscoring our continued commitment to advancing thoughtful, long-term approaches to giving.
The report, presented by Associate Professor Kenneth Goh, examined why moonshot philanthropy — a sustained approach to supporting audacious systems change — is difficult to sustain. Rather than a lack of risk appetite, the research highlighted a deeper issue: many philanthropists lack the language and frameworks needed to justify bold, long-term investments to their boards and families. A key insight was the importance of relationships between funders and changemakers, and how trust and alignment must evolve over time to support meaningful impact.
Panellists, including prominent philanthropists Dr. Mary Ann Tsao from Tsao Foundation and Mr. James Chen from the Chen Yat-Sen Foundation, shared candid reflections from their own journeys. Their stories illustrated that transformative change often requires years of patient, iterative effort, with limited early results. From community-based ageing initiatives in Singapore to global vision care programmes that influenced UN policy, both speakers emphasised the persistence, conviction, and resilience needed to pursue moonshot ideas, often in the face of scepticism and limited support.
The discussion also introduced practical tools and concepts — such as “Time to Impact,” “Portfolio Logic,” and the “Impact Timing Matrix” — to help philanthropists better design and communicate long-horizon strategies. A recurring theme was the challenge faced by next-generation philanthropists, who may hold ambitious visions but lack the credibility to act on them within traditional structures. The session concluded with a call to build stronger support ecosystems and to reframe philanthropy as a disciplined, long-term commitment to systemic change. Li Foundation is proud to have participated in the development of the Moonshot Philanthropy report through an interview and remains committed to advancing bold, evidence-informed approaches that enable lasting impact.
The book showcases how the participants challenged their limits and conquered the World Marathon Challenge and North Pole Marathon to inspire people to challenge their own limits and pursue their dreams boldly.
The book tells the stories behind the event which saw the largest number of people in history running 1045km round Taiwan in 19 days.