First Impressions

In every conversation I have with our GlobalGiving partners and project leaders, I’m learning more and more about trends and opportunities in the nonprofit and philanthropy sector here in China.? A grab bag of early reflections, by no means yet completely synthesized or comprehensive:

• Everyone in the sector has been impacted in one way or another by the pandemic and just like in many places around the world, it’s not completely clear how the impact on organizations and donor trends will shake out.??

• The folks at China Philanthropy Research Institute are doing super interesting research, some of it survey based, on next gen giving and women and giving, among other important topics. Engaging with the next generation of donors—everyday and high capacity donors—is a big area of interest for everyone. Early findings show that even if more affluent individuals aren’t yet giving, they would like their children to be involved in philanthropy. Some of the biggest cause areas for young people include animal welfare, environmental welfare and wellness—the latter a new priority since the pandemic.?
• The Institute’s research on women donors shows they give more often and in smaller amounts—engaging more with emotion and less interest in strategic planning for philanthropy. They also like to collaborate through in-person events. Plenty of options to meet these donors with heart and help them lean in to longer-term plans and growth.

• NGOs here in China are increasingly exploring working outside of China and are looking for models and guidance.? Companies are also beginning to explore community engagement through philanthropy in countries where they operate.? Lots of opportunities here for local nonprofits in the countries where those businesses and NGOs are looking for partnerships.

• This happens to be Chinese Charity Month and Week, and September 5th is Charity Day so I feel like I’m here at an auspicious time—especially combined with the mid-Autumn festival (I need to try mooncakes…).

• Internet donors and monthly donors are a big focus for many Chinese NGOs with some fundraising teams having 2-5 people solely focused on those tools and markets.? One organization I spoke with has seen their Internet donors increase from 5% of donations to 30-40% over the last few years.

• DAFs seem to be more of a thing than when I was last here in 2019.? Looking forward to understanding more on that front.

• Capacity building is on everyone’s mind—as well as the difficulty in finding funding for it and for R&D and flexible funding.? Same story around the world, I’m afraid, which just continues to make everyday donors—whose gifts are almost always unrestricted—a critical part of the landscape.?

• The topics of gender (connecting to everything), climate (connecting to everything) and mental health and wellness, especially for youth, come up repeatedly, no matter what the focus of individual organizations.
• Organizations like Shanghai United Forum are working on increasing participation in philanthropy and public awareness. It reminds me of our Norms and Narratives portfolio at Gates (thinking of you, Agus Galmarini ) which invested so heavily in GivingTuesday and research on charitable giving in the media with the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center and the MIT media lab. They shared with me their transition from the United Way model of focusing on United fundraising to a fresh focus on public participation, and their introduction of a DAF and giving circle to Shanghai. Super fun to hear about their partnership with Philanthropy Together . Collective giving resonates everywhere!

• The many infrastructure organizations I’ve met –China Foundation Forum, China Foundation Center, China Development Brief – play similar roles to those around the world—training, connecting, data and information sharing, and helping with navigating partnerships. From the Nonprofit Incubator in Shanghai, I got to hear how they have incubated over 1,000 organizations since they started in 2006 and have an incredible reach across the country. As a partner to many transnational companies, and to GlobalGiving, they are constantly innovating—which they tell me is a particular Shanghai trait!??

I can’t wait to explore beautiful and vibrant Shanghai this evening. Got to take the train yesterday and saw the countryside and mountains between Beijing and Shanghai for the first time. I can certainly believe the claim to an innovation vibe since my first personal, everyday encounter with a robot took place right as I checked into my hotel here! It rolled right into my elevator and chatted with me.? Alas, I don’t speak robot or Mandarin : )