IoP Launches LEAP Fellowship to Strengthen Asia’s Philanthropy Leadership Talent Development

The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) has announced the launch of the Leadership Excellence in Asian Philanthropy (LEAP) Fellowship, a pioneering fellowship programme designed to address one of the region’s most pressing needs: developing the next generation of visionary leaders for Asia’s rapidly evolving philanthropic sector, with a curriculum and design tailored specifically to the cultural, economic, and social realities of the region.

As Asia emerges as a global hub of wealth creation and social investment, philanthropic resources are also growing. Yet analysis by The Bridgespan Group shows that while Asia’s philanthropic organisations now steward tens of billions of dollars a significant gap remains between these resources and the expertise required to utilise them effectively.

Brian San, Secretary-General, Institute of Philanthropy, delivers a speech on stage.

The study identified Asia-specific needs for upskilling in areas such as impact measurement, adaptive leadership and cross-sector collaboration. Funders across the region consistently seek programmes rooted in Asian realities, with local case studies, culturally relevant frameworks and content that can be applied directly in their operating environments.

The Leadership Excellence in Asian Philanthropy (LEAP) Fellowship was created to bridge this gap through a structured, practitioner-led curriculum focused on strategy, impact and policy.The aim is to cultivate leaders who can build adaptive strategies, design interventions with embedded metrics, and form effective platforms that transform communities across Asia.

Professor Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor, The University of Hong Kong, delivers a speech on stage.

“Asia’s philanthropic sector stands at a pivotal moment, with the opportunity to maximise impact and accelerate change through visionary leadership and regionally grounded collaboration. The LEAP Fellowship was created to meet this need — equipping leaders with the skills, networks and tools to drive systemic change and shape the future of philanthropy in Asia,” said Lester Huang, Chairman of the IoP.

LEAP combines academic excellence with practice-based learning and peer collaboration by faculty members from The University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Brian San, Secretary-General, Institute of Philanthropy (right) and Professor Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor, The University of Hong Kong (left).

“As Asia’s leading university, HKU is proud to have helped develop the LEAP Fellowship,” said Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong. “The programme is built around experiential learning that draws from real philanthropic challenges in the region. By combining these insights with Asia’s unique cultural and social context, LEAP equips senior professionals with the confidence and practical tools to lead with impact. This is how we will nurture leaders who can translate vision into action and strengthen
philanthropy across Asia.”

Iqbal Dhaliwal, Global Executive Director of J-PAL and Scientific Director of J-PAL South Asia, commented: “If philanthropy is to rise to the scale of today’s social challenges, it is critical that we empower emerging leaders, those already managing programmes, budgets and teams, with the tools to effectively leverage evidence in their decision-making. Through LEAP, J-PAL brings practical frameworks and Asia-focused case studies that equip these leaders to measure and amplify their impact using rigorous data. This is how we will build the resilience and innovation capacity the sector will need in the next decade.”

Brian San, Secretary-General, Institute of Philanthropy (left) and Guojun HE, Director of HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute (right).

"Philanthropy in Asia is growing rapidly in scale and importance. LSE is delighted to bring world-class faculty and a trusted peer network together with the region’s emerging leaders through the LEAP Fellowship. The most transformative philanthropy emerges at the intersection of rigorous thinking and practical expertise. With LEAP we will strengthen leadership capacity, foster collaboration and inspire innovation. We are excited to help catalyse a professional community that can drive systemic change and shape Asian philanthropy for the better for decades to come,” added Professor Larry Kramer, President and Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The programme was formally introduced at a launch event streamed globally and attended by leading Asia-based foundations and charities as well as members of the international social impact community. Panellists from philanthropic organisations, including The Rockefeller Foundation and the Kasikornthai Foundation, underscored the importance of investing in the next generation of philanthropic leadership. Faculty members who designed the curriculum also highlighted how LEAP’s pedagogy translates theory into practice.

LEAP is the only fellowship in Asia to unite three world-renowned institutions and with a curriculum rooted in regional realities. Fellows will tackle their own “LEAP Challenge” — a pressing issue in their organisation — applying theory to practice with guidance from faculty and peers.

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.