Research Partnership to Identify How Philanthropy Powers Financial Hubs for Maximum Impact Institute of Philanthropy and the Marshall Institute announce collaboration at private meeting of leading foundations

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) has launched a three-year research collaboration with Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management (GSM) to analyse how corporations in the Chinese Mainland create social impact. The study will investigate the strategies, motivations, and practices of leading philanthropic corporations. It will also assess the policy frameworks, incentive mechanisms, and regulatory environments that shape corporate participation in philanthropy, generating evidence-based insights to guide the sector’s future development.

This research comes at a pivotal moment for philanthropy in the Chinese Mainland. According to the China Philanthropy Donation Report 2024, charitable donations received by social organisations in the Chinese Mainland reached RMB151 billion in 2023, with corporate contributions accounting for RMB115.6 billion, or 76.6% of the total. With their scale, resources, and networks, businesses are central to the philanthropic landscape — uniquely positioned to drive innovation, support policy effectiveness, and amplify social impact.

Institute of Philanthropy and Peking University have launched a three-year collaboration to analyse how corporations in the Chinese Mainland create social impact.

“This collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting the philanthropic sector in China through research that delivers practical guidance and actionable tools,” said Lester Huang, Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy. “By examining how corporations create social value, the project will provide businesses with insights to strengthen their giving strategies, inform policy frameworks that encourage participation, and build capacity across the sector. In doing so, it will help business entities maximise their social contributions and ensure philanthropy delivers broader and more sustainable benefits to society.”

Professor Liu Qiao, Dean of GSM, and Jin Jinping, Associate Professor at the Law School of Peking University, will co-lead the research team with support from colleagues in the Law School and National School of Development.  

Institute of Philanthropy and Peking University have launched a three-year collaboration to analyse how corporations in the Chinese Mainland create social impact.

Professor Liu, Dean of GSM, observed that Chinese enterprises are shifting from “scale expansion” to “value creation”, balancing economic returns with durable social impact. Drawing on Peking University’s interdisciplinary platform, the study will apply rigorous, evidence-based methods to map the frameworks and mechanisms through which firms generate social value, distil actionable policy recommendations, and help Chinese philanthropic practice integrate into global sustainable-developmentgovernance—thereby offering a Chinese template for worldwide corporate social responsibility.

The collaboration reflects IoP’s continued focus on advancing philanthropy through knowledge, networks, and regional engagement. As part of a broader effort to deepen understanding of giving practices rooted in Asian contexts, this initiative will contribute to a growing body of work that connects research with practice and ideas with action. By working alongside leading academic institutions and engaging a wide cross-section of stakeholders, IoP continues to support the development of thoughtful, locally grounded approaches to philanthropy while fostering dialogue across sectors.