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Jill Wong, Founder

Jill Wong, Founder

Jill Wong had a career in research and journalism, having worked in both Singapore and Hong Kong for banks and media organisations. She continues to support the media sector in order to create an independent voice for the editorial principles of honesty, accuracy and balance in the reporting of issues that are critical to readers. A dog lover, Jill chairs The Benjamin Wong Foundation, managed by the Asia Community Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to support animal welfare by investing in future generations. It works with animal welfare groups and supports their efforts in the rehabilitation and rehoming of rescue dogs.

Letter from the Founder

My philanthropic journey has been guided by my journalistic training. I believe the media’s role is to inform and educate and that that duty empowers it to push for social change if needed. I learned in the newsroom that honest, well-researched and balanced reporting garners respect and with it, the potential to effect change.

When I ventured into philanthropy with animal welfare, my goal was to leverage the power of information to support homeless dogs, rescuers and pet owners. The strategy was to combine professional research based on a clear methodology with stakeholder engagement, impact assessment and public education.

I believe there is a similar demand for quality information from the growing ranks of philanthropists who want to make better-informed decisions.

PhilanthropyAsia aims to meet that need.

It is a resource centre for all donors and would-be donors, an intellectual platform to facilitate exchange where all ideas, irrespective of the cause, are valued. The articles you read here are bias-free and written by journalists based on input from all stakeholders in the ecosystem.

Given my background in financial journalism and Singapore’s strength as a financial centre, I have also placed philanthropy in that context to cover topics such as investments, impact, due diligence, governance, ethics and best practices.

I should emphasise that PhilanthropyAsia is not designed to tell philanthropists how to give. What it seeks to deliver is what any media outlet that prizes editorial values above commercial interests should produce – quality content that is informative, intelligent and interesting.

Happy reading!

With thanks,
Jill Wong, Founder, PhilanthropyAsia
Jill Wong, Founder, PhilanthropyAsia
Carrie Lee, Editor

Carrie Lee, Editor

Carrie Lee is an award-winning journalist and experienced corporate communications professional based in Hong Kong, A former reporter at the South China Morning Post and Reuters, she possesses a wide scope of journalistic expertise ranging from general, political and business stories to human-interest, community-related and arts and culture features. Carre has served in various editorial and corporate communications roles at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Hong Kong Productivity Council. She is currently a freelancer for a better work-life balance.

Message from the Editor

As I welcome you to PhilanthropyAsia, I am reminded of a quote from Aristotle:

“To give away money is an easy matter and in any man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it and how large and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter.”

The Greek philosopher may have penned these words more than two millennia ago, but there’s no doubting their relevance today.

The growing complexity of society along with changing needs and expectations has opened the world of giving far beyond conventional donations. And with so many ways to help the community, it has never been more important for philanthropists to make sound decisions.

But in order to decide how best to use their resources to deliver meaningful impact, philanthropists need information most of all.

We at PhilanthropyAsia are aware that such information is in short supply and are aiming to fill the gap.

This website is a digital resource hub packed with features, profiles, news reports and more on the sector. It aims to support the donor with independent, reliable information at a time of great change in the philanthropy landscape marked by a growing preference for a more comprehensive and hands-on approach to giving.

We hope you find us of use on your philanthropic journey.

With thanks,
Carrie Lee, Editor, PhilanthropyAsia
Carrie Lee, Editor, PhilanthropyAsia
Stephen Powell, Principal Consultant

Stephen Powell, Principal Consultant

Stephen Powell has had careers in retail, information technology and education but is now devoted to making a difference in the philanthropy ecosystem. Apart from supporting The Benjamin Wong Foundation in Singapore, he has studied strategic philanthropy for the last few years and learned directly from the best foundations in the world. He has also attended learning opportunities with the United States Agency for International Development, the Centre for Global Development, the Brookings Institute and The Nature Conservancy, to name a few. He is a writer in his own right, but is now dedicated to this ongoing learning journey and sharing it with others grappling with the needs and challenges of giving for good.
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