From 26 January to 1 February 2026, the Executive Leadership Program (ELP) Singapore Module Cohort 2 was successfully held in Singapore. Jointly organised by the China Global Philanthropy Institute (CGPI) and the Li Foundation, the programme brought together 18 outstanding alumni from philanthropic organisations, social enterprises, and next-generation philanthropists for a week-long immersive learning journey.
Centered on Southeast Asia’s philanthropic ecosystem and social impact models, the programme explored key themes including strategic and collaborative philanthropy, Singapore’s social sector infrastructure, and sustainable social innovation. Over the course of the week, participants visited more than 20 leading institutions, gaining firsthand exposure to the vibrancy, long-term thinking, and collaborative spirit that underpin Singapore’s approach to philanthropy and social development.
Sessions with raiSE and the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) illustrated how Singapore’s social service ecosystem uplifts vulnerable communities through a dual focus – developing non-profit organisations to deliver services, while simultaneously supporting enterprises with a clear social mission. This integrated approach highlighted the importance of creating the right policy environment and supportive frameworks to nurture bottom-up impact.
Participants engaged with the founders from Dignity Kitchen, Inclus, Gentle Foods, and others, gaining firsthand insights into how entrepreneurial approaches can empower vulnerable communities while remaining financially sustainable. Their journeys illustrated how dignity, inclusion, and commercial viability can be deliberately integrated through bold and purpose-driven business models.
Dialogues with Temasek Foundation and Temasek Trust and a sharing on The Majurity Trust showcased strategic approaches to creating systemic impact. Participants gained insights into the value of research and ecosystem building, moving beyond project-based funding to strengthen institutions, partnerships, and knowledge to enable lasting change.
Leap201 shared its venture philanthropy approach, illustrating how rigorous due diligence and patient capital can help in selecting early-stage social ventures and scaling their impact. Meanwhile, ImpactSG and the Asia Philanthropy Circle demonstrated how donor communities can be cultivated to give beyond financial resources to enable shared learning and collective action.
The true magic of the journey lay not only in the structured curriculum and program, but in the richness of spontaneous conversations and genuine exchange. From meeting rooms to dining tables, from group discussions to fireside conversations, and from site visits to post-programme activities, participants shared openly—testing ideas, confronting challenges, and building deep friendships.
During the interactive segments, participants actively queried presenters and shared their own insights, creating a two-way exchange. Liu Qin from Tencent Foundation explored technology-enabled philanthropy with the Bloomberg Philanthropies team, while Weiwei from the Federation of Wenzhou Blazing Youths shared how the use of AI empowered cultural initiatives from China. Professor Zhu Jiangang from the CGPI’s Academic Committee and ELP Singapore Module alumnus Zhou Yang further enriched participants’ learning by sharing thinking frameworks and comparing the underlying logic of Singapore’s and China’s philanthropic ecosystems.
The fireside conversations on the final night brought the programme to an emotional climax. In the presence of Lionel, founder of Li Foundation and co-initiator of the ELP Singapore module, participants reflected on their personal motivations, setbacks, commitments, and aspirations in philanthropy. Lionel, too, expressed his hopes, calling for ELP participants to embody compassion, courage, and generosity, with the firm belief that kindness and perseverance will ultimately lead to life’s deepest and most enduring rewards.
While the ELP Singapore Module Cohort 2 has formally concluded, the journey of innovation and collaboration is only just beginning. Over the course of six days, the 18 participants from diverse organisations came together as a close-knit learning community—gaining not only new insights, but also trusted partners for future collaboration. Li Foundation looks forward to their future success as they return to their respective roles carrying lessons, deepened relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose in advancing their philanthropic work.
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.