The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) and the Marshall Institute at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) announced a strategic research partnership to explore how global financial hubs can unlock greater philanthropic capital and drive social innovation. The collaboration was unveiled at IoP’s annual private convening of leading foundations, marking a deepening commitment by the “think, fund, do” tank to shape the future of philanthropy—regionally and globally.
“Financial hubs are not just engines of economic growth—they are increasingly becoming laboratories for innovative social finance,” said Lester Huang, Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy. “This partnership with the Marshall Institute allows us to explore how philanthropy can grow in financial hubs where capital markets,institutional infrastructure, and social ambition converge. We want to understand what levers—policy, incentives, infrastructure—can unlock more giving and more innovation.”
Building on recent findings from IoP’s broader research agenda, this initiative will examine the interplay between policy and practice in financial centres, where concentrated wealth meets growing demand for inclusive impact.
Group photo of Mr Brian San, Secretary-General of the Institute of Philanthropy (frontrow,1st left); Dr Brendan Smith, Executive Director, International Strategy &Partnerships, The London School of Economics and Political Science (front row,1st right); Mr Lester Garson Huang, Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy (back row,1st left) ; and Professor Larry Kramer, President and Vice Chancellor of The London School of Economics and Political Science (back row, 1st right).
The study will focus on cities such as Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, London, New York, and Singapore, offering insights into how financial infrastructure, regulation, and incentives intersect with philanthropy. It will be led by Professor Jonathan Roberts and Professor Stephan Chambers from the Marshall Institute at LSE.
For 130 years, LSE has led the world in transformative social science teaching and research. The Marshall Institute, founded in 2015 with a mission to improve the impact and effectiveness of private action for public benefit, has become a global point of reference for the study of philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.
"We are delighted to partner with the Institute of Philanthropy to better understand the vital role that philanthropy plays in solving our most urgent global challenges,” said Professor Larry Kramer, LSE’s President and Vice Chancellor. “Strategic partnerships like this one with IoP strengthen our international network of social science thought leaders and amplify the reach and relevance of our work worldwide."
The study seeks to:
• Advance global understanding of how financial hubs can serve as engines for social investment, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration
• Fill critical knowledge gaps on how financial systems shape philanthropic flows and behaviour
• Generate actionable insights for decision-makers seeking to scale giving in high-capacity markets
• Explore how philanthropy can contribute to the growth, resilience, and competitiveness of financial hubs
With a particular focus on Asian financial centres, the research will explore how philanthropy is evolving in response to rapid wealth creation, demographic shifts, and complex social challenges. These hubs offer unique opportunities to test new models—from blended finance to impact-first ventures—and to transfer policy and practice across jurisdictions.
While interest in Asian philanthropy is growing, there remains a lack of detailed empirical research across the region. This study aims to fill that gap by generating actionable insights and fostering dialogue among global stakeholders. Once completed, the findings will be publicly shared to support ongoing efforts to strengthen philanthropic ecosystems in financial hubs and beyond.
The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) is proud to serve as the exclusive sponsor of “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West”exhibition, which opened today at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The exhibition brings together 106 masterpieces and artefacts from The Palace Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Palace of Versailles and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Previously staged at The Palace Museum in Beijing in 2025 under the title “Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World”, also exclusively sponsored by IoP, the exhibition’s arrival in Hong Kong underscores IoP’s commitment to promoting Chinese culture and values and fostering international cultural exchange.
Guests tour the “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” exhibition.
The exhibition celebrates the beauty and cultural significance of gardens across civilisations. From the grand gardens of Emperor Qianlong and King Louis XIV to the artistry of Claude Monet, Zhang Daqian and Wen Zhengming, visitors can discover how gardens have long been spaces of creativity and leisure.
Guests tour the “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” exhibition.
Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Wang Yuegong, Deputy Director of The Palace Museum; Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; Dr Wang Tao, Pritzker Chair of Arts of Asia, Executive Director of initiatives in Asia of Art Institute of Chicago; Professor Desmond Hui, Chairman of the Art Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee; Eve Tam, Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services; and Dr Maria Mok, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Wang Yuegong, Deputy Director of The Palace Museum; Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; Dr Wang Tao, Pritzker Chair of Arts of Asia, Executive Director of initiatives in Asia of Art Institute of Chicago; Professor Desmond Hui, Chairman of the Art Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee; Eve Tam, Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services; and Dr Maria Mok, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government, said that this touring exhibition, which began at The Palace Museum in 2025 and arrived in Hong Kong today, connects regional culture of the East and West through historical gardens. The HKMoA, as the grand finale, will exclusively feature a selection of art treasures. The exhibition not only fully showcase the distinctive features of gardens from East and West and the rich cultural heritage from different regions, but also highlights Hong Kong’s vital role as a window for mutual exchange and learning between Chinese and Western civilisations. She added that the country advocates “shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism”. Culture and tourism have always been highly complemented with each other. With Labour Day Golden Week approaching, she believes the exhibition would attract local art lovers and tourists, as well as boost consumption in the surrounding area. She extended her appreciation to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its full support, and to the Institute of Philanthropy for its sponsorship, which together enabled the exwhibition to be successfully staged.
Guests tour the “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” exhibition.
Wang Yuegong, Deputy Director of The Palace Museum, said that Chinese gardens evoke the grandeur of mountains, rivers, and the natural world, all within a small space and in pursuit of the ideal. Through this exhibition series, the Palace Museum hopes to foster open, cross‑disciplinary dialogue and collaboration, and to engage all sectors of society in exploring the question of ideal living.
Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, said that the enduring legacy of Chinese garden art echoes the profound cultural heritage of The Palace Museum. Through this dialogue across time and cultures, she hoped more members of the public could experience the beauty of gardens from the East and West, deepen their understanding of the nation's history and culture, and carry forward Chinese cultural heritage, thereby enhancing cultural confidence and social cohesion.
Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” exhibition.
“Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” is an important part of a five-year collaboration under a Memorandum of Co-operation entitled “Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong” signed between The Palace Museum and IoP. It aims to foster cultural exchange between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong and to nurture aspiring arts tech talent. The exhibition will offer guided tours for schools, charitable organisations and non profit-making organisations.
Guests tour the “Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West” exhibition.
