CSR Programs, Partnerships, and Pitfalls in China | #AsktheCollective 019

In this episode of #AsktheCollective, I talk about how firms can develop CSR programs and partnerships in China, and speak about some of the common pitfalls to be avoided. As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to like, share, comment, and SUBSCRIBE!   #About the AsktheCollective Series: As a way to engage with you, our audience, we are…

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New Regulation: 2017 China Volunteer Service Law

Following the recent changes in Foreign and domestic charity laws, this week the Volunteer Service Regulation was released (Chinese version here), and just like the charity laws, there is the potential for this law to impact CSR programming in China. With an effective date of July 1, 2017, the first article setting out the intent of the new law: These Regulations are drafted so as to develop…

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Philanthropy, Social Enterprises, and Impact Investment | #AsktheCollective 016

In this episode of #AsktheCollective, I answer a question about philanthropy, social enterprises, and impact investment in China. As always, we hope you find this series engaging, and if you do, please remember to like, share, comment, and SUBSCRIBE! #Timestamps 00:18 - Philanthropy funding is an important source for social enterprise globally, is this true for China? Also, how is the lands…

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Donating to China Just Got More Difficult

In the process leading to the 2016 Foreign NGO and 2016 China Charity laws, a lot of the articles were focused on the macro issues of what this meant for the development of civil society in China. On the ground though, the questions were more practical, with the most recent being focused on donating money to China as a foreign foundation. In part, this was due to the language of both laws lacki…

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Generosity & Philanthropy in China: It’s About Context

THE QUESTION: IS CHINA GENEROUS? Much of our work here at Collective centers on the business side of "social entrepreneurship" in China – going beyond business as usual to work towards the development of a better world. Yet, we also run into a certain question from the more philanthropic side of that mission: Is China generous? Answering such a loaded question risks overgeneralizing a country…

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Bike Sharing in China, China’s 5-Year Plans, & How to Fundraise for Charity | #AskTheCollective 004

As always, we hope you find these questions and answers useful, possibly gain some new insights, and feel compelled or inspired to ask questions of your own! Enjoy Episode 004 below, check out the full playlist here, and stay tuned for Episode 005 coming soon. (To stay in the loop on what’s new at Collective, you’ll definitely want to subscribe to our channel and follow us on social media.) #As…

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The Role of Philanthropy in Chinese CSR

On March 30th, we invited Dr. Ko Liu Ying from Shanghai United Family Hospital, and Adam Rosenberg from GeiLi Giving to share their insights on the topic of Philanthropy in CSR at the School of Economics at Shanghai University. Dr. Ko has been engaged in dental care for 20 years and is currently working at Shanghai United Family Hospital as the director of the Corporate Social Responsibility dep…

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Don’t Be “That” Donor

Are you the type of person who is looking to donate money to a good cause it is unsure where you should begin? You have heard that there are a lot of organizations that "spend too much money" on overhead, and you want to make sure that ALL "your money" goes to the "cause." If so, I'd like to ask you to not be "that donor." A donor whose only concern is the efficiency of "your money," and not the i…

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Why China’s Culture of Philanthropy Has Yet to Take Hold

The 5.12.08 Sichuan earthquake that left 90,000+ Chinese dead was seen by many as a turning point in philanthropy.  It was an event that brought the country together in a way that I have not seen at any other time in my 12+ years here, and it was a time when the best of China showed through as the seeds for a culture of philanthropy were planted. Part of this experience (for me), was defined by…

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Moving Blended Investing to Investing as Usual

While speaking with the investment head of a family recently, the concept of blended investing came up in the conversation. A theory put forward by Jed Emerson , blended investing is defined as: a conceptual framework for advancing a vision of value creation which is not based upon a bifurcated understanding of the nature of value (either/or), but rather a unified, holistic understanding of va…

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5 Steps Towards Better Corporate Philanthropy

5 Steps to Developing a Successful Corporate Philanthropy Program Through my work, working with firms looking to develop "CSR" programs in China, more often than not the conversations I have revolved around donating money. For many firms, even those experienced in philanthropy, China can be a difficult place. The groups who are able to accept 50,000+ USD are more likely to be GONGOs (Government…

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Will Foundations Be More Effective in China?

Over the last 2-3 years, one of the more interesting developments in China's philanthropic landscape has been the explosion of foundations that have come onto the scene. Interesting because as the number of foundations, and the number of celebrities/ CEOs opening their own foundation, grew there was a general belief that this would improve the mechanisms for giving, transparency, and impact. Ho…

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When Donor Resiliency is Lost

Last night, and this afternoon, I had a bit of a scare. A donor to one of the organizations I have been working with, a long time friend, sent me a message that she was pulling her donation because of an error I had made.  It was a simple error in failing to recognize her firm as agreed on.It was an honest mistake, but one that tipped her over the edge.. or so I thought. It turns out she was…

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Nurturing a Credible Culture of Philanthropy in China

If there is one thing that the recent rash of scandals in China's charities proves, it is that China has a long way to go with developing a credible and robust culture of philanthropy. A few weeks back there were the pictures of a woman named Guo Meimei caught posing with luxury cars and accessories, while talking about her connection to China's Red Cross. Not the first time that the Red Cross…

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Jack Ma on CSR and Philanthropy

In an Charlie Rose interview, Jack Ma is asked - and speaks extensively - on CSR  and philanthropy in China.  Interviewed before the now famous Gates and Buffet dinner, the interview couldn't have come at a better time. Founder of Alibaba and Taobao (two of China's most trafficked e-commerce platforms), Jack Ma holds a god like status in China.  His voice on the matters of CSR and philanthropy…

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