Recently, the Li Foundation hosted a delegation of 21 alumni from the MPS program at the Chinese School of Philanthropy @Guangzhou (CSoP@Guangzhou) for a learning tour and an exchange on philanthropic practice in Singapore and the wider region.
Founded in June 2014, CSoP@Guangzhou is the first academy in China dedicated to philanthropic education and philanthropic cultural research. At the heart of its leadership development efforts is the MPS program, a flagship initiative designed to cultivate senior philanthropic practitioners and social changemakers through a combination of professional practice, humanistic learning and scientific thinking. Drawing on a network of scholars and experienced practitioners, the program brings together philanthropy leaders from across China to deepen their understanding of the sector and strengthen their capacity to create social impact. To date, it has developed over 300 students from across 20 provinces and municipalities.
The Li Foundation is proud to be a strategic partner of the MPS program, alongside the Narada Foundation, the Guangdong Harmony Community Foundation and other partners committed to strengthening China’s philanthropy talent pipeline. The visit to Singapore offered an opportunity to extend this learning journey beyond the classroom, bringing together experienced MPS alumni with practitioners working across Singapore’s philanthropic ecosystem.
The exchange began with the Li Foundation sharing its approach to philanthropy and an overview of several of its key projects, followed by a lively Q&A with the visiting alumni. Kelsey from Temasek Foundation then introduced the Foundation’s work in the climate and liveability space, with particular focus on its use of prize philanthropy. The Green Future Innovation Challenge, held in China, provided a useful example of how competitive funding mechanisms can surface and scale innovative solutions to pressing climate challenges.
Beyond sharing organisational approaches, the conversation provided a space for participants to compare perspectives on how philanthropy can evolve in response to changing social needs, and how funders and practitioners can work together to translate ideas into meaningful impact. The visit was part of a broader learning journey in Singapore, during which the MPS alumni also attended the launch of the family philanthropy intermediaries report, supported by the Li Foundation. Together, these engagements offered the delegation perspectives on both the practice of philanthropy and the broader ecosystem shaping its development in Singapore and the region.
The exchange underscored a shared commitment to developing capable, values-driven philanthropy practitioners — whether through structured leadership development such as the MPS program, or through hands-on experience in designing and delivering philanthropic initiatives. The Li Foundation is grateful to CSoP@Guangzhou for bringing this group of accomplished MPS alumni to Singapore, and looks forward to deepening opportunities for learning and exchange between the two institutions.
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