Hong Kong funders

Established in October 2003 by James Chen in honour of his father Robert Yet-Sen Chen, the Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation puts philanthropy at the centre of the family's ethos. Its primary focus is education, with a distinctive specialisation in school libraries and childhood literacy — it has organised international school-library conferences and founded the Stone Soup Happy Reading Alliance. It also established Bring Me a Book's Hong Kong chapter to bring quality children's literature to underprivileged communities.

Established in 2008 by the Cheng family behind the Chow Tai Fook group, the foundation has supported more than 400 charitable endeavours totalling around RMB 1 billion. Its giving concentrates on schools, youth training and education, and disaster relief across Hong Kong and Mainland China. Organisations seeking funding are asked to submit a concise project concept note through the foundation's website — note the site was under redevelopment as of October 2026, so the process should be re-checked.

Founded in 1979 through the bequest of Noel Croucher, the Croucher Foundation is Hong Kong's leading private funder of science, technology and medicine. Its study awards identify talented Hong Kong permanent residents for doctoral study worldwide, while research fellowships, innovation awards and exchange programmes support scientists at Hong Kong universities. Applications run through its online portal, with study-award applications closing each November and research fellowships proceeding via university nomination.

The Fu Tak Iam Foundation was established in 2007 by Adrian Fu, a descendant of Macau casino pioneer Fu Tak-iam. It practices catalytic philanthropy, working as an engaged partner rather than a conventional cheque-writing donor — investing time, expertise and networks alongside grants to address root causes. Its giving spans Hong Kong, Mainland China, Macau and Taiwan, funding eldercare innovation, family counselling, legal education and NGO capacity projects such as the Warm Shelter hub for nonprofits in Kwai Chung.

The Keswick Foundation is the family foundation of the Keswick family behind Jardine Matheson, supporting charitable organisations that address social needs in Hong Kong and Mainland China. It prioritises underfunded services, pilot and new services, capacity building for the social sector, children and youth, the elderly and vulnerable groups. Its published funding guidelines confirm applications are open all year round to nonprofits with Section 88 tax-exempt status, with a maximum funding period of three years.

Established in 1980 by Li Ka-shing — who calls it his 'third son' and has pledged a third of his assets to it — the foundation is Hong Kong's largest private philanthropic vehicle, with over HK$26 billion deployed across 27 countries and regions, about 80% within Greater China. Its work centres on education reform, medical research and services, and nurturing a culture of giving. Grant-making is strategic and invitation-driven, though it periodically launches open relief funds for crises, such as the HK$1 billion Crunch Time Instant Relief Fund and the 2025 Tai Po fire relief fund.

Founded in 1962 by Dr Li Shu Fan, the surgeon behind the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, the foundation exists to advance local medicine and public health. It has endowed eleven professorships at HKU and CUHK plus an international professorship at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and offers clinical scholarships, bursaries, research grants and financial assistance to selected patients. Awards are administered through the hospital and partner universities rather than through public applications.

Established in 2010 in memory of Sino Group founder Ng Teng Fong, this family foundation champions education, healthcare, arts and culture, heritage and community services. Its HK$100 million-endowed Ng Teng Fong Scholarship has supported more than 5,000 students from Hong Kong and Mainland China, and it has partnered with over 300 NGOs and community organisations. Grant-making is proactive and relationship-driven, with no public application process published.

Founded in 1970 by Dr Din Hwa Chen, the Nan Fung Group founder and devout Buddhist, The D. H. Chen Foundation is one of Hong Kong's oldest private philanthropic organisations. Guided by Chen's philosophy of 'care for others as well as you would care for yourself', it designs and funds its own initiatives across education, mental wellbeing and social inclusion. Its flagship Scholarship Programme supports up to 20 Hong Kong undergraduates a year at five local universities with full tuition, overseas learning and living allowances.

Founded in 1982 by industrialist Dr Tin Ka Ping and funded by assets donated by him and his family, the foundation is devoted to education with an emphasis on moral education and Chinese culture. It has funded more than 300 schools and universities plus some 1,800 rural libraries across Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Mainland China, alongside hospitals and infrastructure projects. Giving is strategic and institution-led, with no public application portal.

Founded in 2016 by Tencent co-founder Charles Chen Yidan and backed by a HK$2.5 billion independent trust, the Yidan Prize Foundation is headquartered in Hong Kong and runs what is described as the world's largest education prize. Each year it awards two prizes — for Education Research and Education Development — with each laureate receiving a gold medal, a HK$15 million cash prize and a HK$15 million project fund. Unusually for a family foundation, its nomination process is fully open: anyone may nominate an individual or team without an invitation.

Founded in 2019, the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting Hong Kong youth. It runs open-application funding programmes for nonprofits, including the Mainland Exchange Programme (HK$5.3 million across 38 nonprofits in 2025) and an Anti-Epidemic Support Fund that gave HK$2.1 million to 21 youth-service organisations. Since inception it has initiated and supported over 430 projects benefiting more than 230,000 young people.

Founded in 2019 by Daryl Ng, the Hong Kong Community Foundation is a registered Section 88 tax-exempt charity (File No. 91/9535) promoting positivity, inclusion and care in Hong Kong. Unlike grant-making community chests, it operates its own programmes directly — examples include the #ClapforHK and #ShareASmile campaigns, COVID-19 relief (donating over 500,000 masks and 10,000 meal boxes), and publishing inclusion-themed books. It partners with community organisations such as Gingko House and WEDO GLOBAL rather than running an open NGO grant programme.

Established on 8 November 1968, The Community Chest of Hong Kong is the city's largest community-chest funder. It raises funds through more than 20 campaigns a year (Walks for Millions, Dress Casual Day, Flag Day) and allocates 100% of donations — with no deduction for administration — to over 165 member social welfare agencies across six service areas. In 2024/2025 it allocated HK$317.7 million to member agencies, plus designated funds such as the Rainbow Fund for emergency relief and the Medical Assistance Fund.

Founded in 1995 as the philanthropic arm of AIA Group, the Foundation focuses on education, health, poverty relief and community development in Hong Kong. Its flagship is the US$100 million AIA Scholarships programme, supporting 100 undergraduates a year across 10 Hong Kong universities with HK$50,000 per year each, alongside mentorship and leadership development. It also backs health and youth initiatives advancing its 'Healthier, Longer, Better Lives' mission.

Founded in 1984 under the wing of Fondation de France, the BNP Paribas Foundation is the cornerstone of the bank's corporate philanthropy, supporting more than 4,200 projects and 2 million beneficiaries across solidarity, environment and culture. In Hong Kong it funds selected partnerships, from the Dream Up artists-in-residence programme for underprivileged youth to environmental initiatives such as the Plastic Odyssey stopover. Its Climate & Biodiversity Initiative also backs scientific research.

Established in 1994 (originally the Bank of China Group Charitable Foundation), the Foundation is the charitable arm of Bank of China (Hong Kong), with cumulative donations of around HK$1.7 billion. It funds poverty alleviation, youth development, environmental protection and carbon reduction, sports and the arts, working with 70+ charitable organisations on around 76 projects in 2021. Landmark grants include a HK$100 million donation supporting veterinary medicine and a named chair professorship at City University of Hong Kong.

Citi's global philanthropic arm, and a live route for Hong Kong nonprofits: its flagship Global Innovation Challenge awards US$500,000 each to 50 community organisations through a competitive RFP — Hong Kong's Changing Young Lives Foundation was among the 2025 grantees. The 2026 challenge focuses on upskilling youth for AI-driven work.

The global foundation of law firm Clifford Chance works alongside its pro bono practice to widen access to justice, education, finance and a healthy environment, granting around £1.7 million in FY25. Its flagship UN Sustainable Development Goals Award gives a winning NGO £50,000 plus 500 hours of pro bono legal support each year, with the 2026 award focused on SDG 4 (quality education). Local foundation funds in each office also support NGOs in their communities, including Hong Kong.

Established in 2014 as DBS Bank's corporate foundation, it champions social entrepreneurship across Asia and supports vulnerable communities; over a decade in Hong Kong it has channelled more than HK$75 million to 35 social enterprises and NGOs. Its Social Enterprise Grant Programme offers open calls with grants up to S$250,000 to social enterprises in Hong Kong and other Asian markets, while the Impact Beyond Award recognises businesses tackling ageing. Community programmes run with partners like HKCSS reach hundreds of thousands of underprivileged Hongkongers.

Launched in June 2020 as HKEX's dedicated charitable arm and a Section 88 charitable entity, the Foundation funds community projects across financial literacy, diversity and inclusion, poverty relief and environmental sustainability. It runs the HKEX Charity Partnership Programme (managed with The Community Chest) and the Impact Funding Scheme — an open call offering HK$500,000–1,000,000 per project to local charities and social enterprises, administered via HKCSS. The Foundation raised HK$138 million for charity in 2021.

Established in 2011 in Hong Kong as the community investment and philanthropic arm of Prudential plc, the Foundation builds financial wellbeing and climate and health resilience across 16 markets in Asia and Africa. Its flagship programmes include Cha-Ching financial education for children, Safe Steps disaster preparedness, and mental-health initiatives such as Talk It Out. It works through public-private partnerships with governments, NGOs and communities rather than open grant calls.

Created to mark Standard Chartered's 150 years in Hong Kong, this community foundation funds large strategic partnerships, including a HK$60 million grant establishing the HKU–Standard Chartered FinTech Academy and a HK$3 million donation to HKCSS for underprivileged families. It operates by invitation and partnership rather than open calls. No new public grants have been announced since around 2020, so the anniversary funding programme may have wound down — treat as inactive until reconfirmed.

Established in 1983 as a Section 88 charity, Swire Trust is the philanthropic arm of the Swire Group, funding registered non-profits primarily in Hong Kong across three focus areas — education, marine conservation and the arts. In 2021 it launched TrustTomorrow, its flagship initiative with HK$150 million pledged, co-developing multi-year projects with around 30 curated NGO partners (including the Swire Inclusive Community Fund and COVID-relief support for 85+ organisations). It is the long-standing principal patron of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

Established in 1993 as the charitable arm of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Trust is one of the world's largest charity donors, approving HK$8.6 billion in donations in FY2025/26 and HK$9 billion in 2024/25. Roughly 90% of the Club's annual operating surplus after tax flows into the Trust, which funds projects across youth, education, health, arts, sports, poverty alleviation and the environment. Working with the government and NGOs, it also proactively launches its own Trust-initiated programs and is the single largest source of charitable funding in Hong Kong.

Set up by HSBC in 1981, the Foundation is one of Hong Kong's largest corporate charities, having supported over 10,000 projects with more than HK$2.4 billion in grants. It prioritises Hong Kong needs around an ageing population, youth future-readiness and the net-zero transition, alongside long-standing scholarship schemes such as the HSBC Scholarships. Charities can submit project proposals for review by the Foundation's Advisory Committee.

Cathay Pacific's community engagement strategy focuses on youth development, diversity and inclusion, environmental protection and global cultural exchange, delivered through flagship initiatives such as Cathay ChangeMakers, World As One, the 'I Can Fly' aviation programme for students, and 'Cathay GET, SET, MOVE' with Rugby For Good. The airline builds long-term NGO partnerships rather than open grants — most notably a 10-year surplus food rescue partnership with Feeding Hong Kong (2,250 tonnes of food redistributed to 260,000 people) and year-round volunteer programmes with HandsOn Hong Kong. For its 80th anniversary the airline committed to uplifting 80,000 lives in 2026 through expanded community programmes. Charities are selected by Cathay's community team; there is no public grant application.

Chinachem Group's community investment centres on partnerships with charitable organisations under its 'People, Prosperity, Planet' philosophy, spanning the Tsuen Wan Community Living Room (built with Yan Chai Hospital — Hong Kong's largest at 7,034 sq ft, serving 610 subdivided-unit households with venue and fitting-out sponsored by Chinachem), the 'CCG Hearts' volunteer rewards platform developed with charitable organisations and social service institutions under the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and the Child Development Matching Fund, which Chinachem has long supported with a matching fund for underprivileged youth savings. Engagement is co-creation-based rather than grant-based; there is no published open application process for NGO funding.

CLP Power Hong Kong runs the CLP Community Energy Saving Fund, financed mostly from incentives CLP earns for meeting energy-saving targets, which has disbursed over HK$860 million between 2019 and 2024 to around 2.5 million underprivileged families and 24,000 SMEs. The fund backs NGO-facing programmes including free solar energy system installations for eligible schools and NGOs, one-stop energy audits and project funding for subvented organisations and schools (HK$44 million allocated, capped at HK$3 million per building and HK$5 million per organisation), and the Home Electrical Safety Programme for elderly, ethnic minority, low-income and disabled households delivered with NGO referral partners such as Caritas Hong Kong and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. A further HK$240 million was allocated from the fund in 2026 for community support programmes expected to reach more than 900,000 beneficiaries.

Henderson Land Development's community investment is partnership-driven, delivered through long-standing collaborations with NGOs and government rather than open grants. The developer provides rent-free community spaces for the government's Community Living Room programme (operated with Lok Kwan Social Service and St. James' Settlement, whose CharityToday digital platform distributes Henderson's learning allowances), sponsors transitional housing communities such as Pok Oi Hospital's Kong Ha Wai Village, and mobilises the Henderson Warmth Volunteer Team for festive outreach. Its 50th-anniversary initiatives in 2026 reached over 120,000 people, including HK$1,500 learning allowances for 2,300+ grassroots students. NGO engagement happens through co-created projects; there is no published grant application process.

Link Together Initiatives is Link REIT's flagship charity and community engagement programme, established in 2013, which contributes up to 0.25% of Link's net property income from the previous financial year to community causes. To date it has committed over HK$174 million to more than 200 projects across all 18 districts, focused on youth empowerment, active ageing and resource management (plus the Link University Scholarship and Link Secondary Student Scholarship). The Hong Kong Council of Social Service is appointed project consultant and partner: HKCSS defines the funding scope, screens applications and conducts due diligence on applicant organisations. Eligible Section 88 charitable organisations submit project proposals during an annual call for proposals — the 2027/28 project fund opens for proposals in January–February, with funded projects running from August.

MTR Corporation's community investment is delivered through 'Community Connect', its platform for city-wide community activities, and the long-running 'More Time Reaching Community' staff volunteering scheme, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025 with 380 volunteering projects helping over 64,000 people. MTR provides sponsorships and in-kind support to NGOs and community organisations — including free tickets, rental concessions, food and daily necessities for social enterprises and charitable organisations — and partners with NGOs on programmes such as career-planning events for students, social-inclusion concerts with over 30 NGOs and social enterprises, and a joint plastic-reduction programme with WWF and foodpanda. Engagement is partnership-driven rather than grant-based: there is no published open application form for NGO funding.

Share for Good is Hong Kong's first large-scale, digital-first crowd-donation platform, launched by New World Development under its Creating Shared Value vision. The platform connects beneficiaries, non-profit organisations and donors, providing instant matching between the urgent needs of local communities and donors who contribute cash or supplies. It is joined by 120 participating NGOs across Hong Kong — including Yan Chai Hospital, St. James' Settlement, YWCA, the Children's Cancer Foundation and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service — and has channelled over HK$58 million in donations and supplies, with zero administrative fees (logistics shared by New World and partners). NGOs post their needs on the platform; donors select needs to match.

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company (Towngas) invests in the community under a published Social Investment Policy, with three focus areas: community health and wellness, the environment, and youth development. Investment takes the form of cash or in-kind donations, employee volunteering, and knowledge and expertise sharing, delivered through trusted partnerships with NGOs, social enterprises and welfare organisations. Signature initiatives include the annual Mooncakes for the Community programme (over 360,000 mooncakes distributed across all 18 districts; 4.3 million+ since 2001) and the Towngas Volunteer Service Team, whose members have accumulated over 1 million service hours benefiting 8.5 million individuals. There is no published open application form; the policy commits to ongoing dialogue with NGOs to identify appropriate programmes.

Set up in January 1997 as a sub-fund of the Sir David Trench Fund for Recreation, the sports portion of the Arts and Sport Development Fund is one of Hong Kong's major funding sources for sports development. Administered by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (assessed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department), it supports athletes preparing for and participating in major international games, the hosting of international sports events by NSAs and NGOs, local football, team sports and urban sports.

The Beat Drugs Fund was established in 1996 to support community projects that combat drug problems in Hong Kong. Administered by the Beat Drugs Fund Association on the advice of the Action Committee Against Narcotics, with secretariat support from the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau, its Regular Funding Scheme funds projects in treatment and rehabilitation, preventive education and publicity, and drug research. Annual funding exercises invite applications from community organisations each year.

Established in 2002 and overseen by the Home Affairs Department, the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund promotes social capital development by encouraging mutual support in the neighbourhood, community participation and cross-sectoral partnership. It provides seed money to eligible organisations for community-initiated projects that build social support networks. Applications are handled by the CIIF Committee and invited in periodic batches.

The Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnership Programme is a Home Affairs Department funding scheme that supports the setting up and scaling up of social enterprises. Each approved social enterprise project can be funded up to $3 million over three years, with the funded ventures expected to become commercially sustainable after the funding period. Projects should provide job opportunities, products or services that promote self-reliance and social integration of the socially disadvantaged.

Established under the Environment and Conservation Fund Ordinance (Cap. 450), the ECF is one of Hong Kong's largest public funds for environmental work, administered by the Environment and Ecology Bureau with secretariat support from the Environmental Protection Department. It supports environmental education, research, conservation and practical action projects, including themed calls such as the Publicity and Education Projects and Practice and Action Projects funding schemes. The ECF Committee and its vetting subcommittees meet quarterly to consider applications from local non-profits.

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council's Project Grant is the flagship grant scheme for local arts projects across art forms including music, dance, xiqu, drama, visual arts, film and media arts, literary arts and arts education. Applications are assessed by HKADC members and examiners of the relevant art-form groups, with assessors appointed to evaluate project results. First-time grantees must complete their funded project and submit a satisfactory project report before a further application is accepted.

Launched in 2017 with a $500 million allocation, the Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living encourages the use of innovation and technology to develop projects that improve daily living and address the needs of specific community groups. Approved projects can receive up to 90% of total project cost or $5 million, whichever is less. Funded deliverables have included mobile apps, assistive devices and services for the elderly, the disabled and other community groups.

The Language Fund supports the work of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) in promoting biliteracy (Chinese and English) and trilingualism (Cantonese, Putonghua and spoken English) in Hong Kong. Its Sponsorship Projects engage community partners to organise language-related, event- or competition-based projects in the community, alongside Research and Development Projects. Calls for applications are announced on SCOLAR's website.

Set up by the Government in 2005 and managed by the Social Welfare Department, the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged promotes tripartite partnership among the welfare sector, business corporations and the Government through matching grants. Its Regular Portion matches business donations for welfare projects serving the disadvantaged, while the Dedicated Portion supports after-school learning and support programmes for primary and secondary students from grassroots families. Matching grants totalling over $627 million have been approved under the Regular Portion to date.

The Quality Education Fund was established to sponsor worthwhile projects that enhance the quality of kindergarten, primary, secondary and special education in Hong Kong, in line with prevailing education policies. It funds pioneering projects and projects that build on innovative ideas generated from previously funded QEF projects. Applications are open year-round through the fund's online system.

Launched in May 2024 as a five-year, $500 million successor to the Social Welfare Development Fund, the Dedicated Fund supports NGOs operating subvented welfare services in meeting their development needs. It funds staff training, IT and non-IT system enhancement projects, Mainland exchange tours and national studies programmes, with streamlined application procedures and e-applications so NGOs can apply at their own pace.

The Sustainable Development Fund was established in 2003 with an initial injection of $100 million to finance community initiatives that encourage sustainable practices and build public awareness of sustainable development. Administered under the Council for Sustainable Development with the Environment and Ecology Bureau, it prioritises applications from community organisations, with government agencies eligible only in partnership with a community organisation as lead. It remains listed on the Government's funding schemes register with invitations issued on a case-by-case basis.