WORKING TOGETHER Such efforts by Asian governments to encourage philanthropic giving are relatively new. In the past, government officials, especially in China, often questioned the need for philanthropy, believing it to be the government’s role to provide basic services to the people. But now governments are coming to realise that


private money can help them achieve their public service goals and have started working with philanthropists on certain projects. In India, the government enacted the Indian Companies


Act 2013 requiring companies with annual revenues of more than $150 million to give at least 2% of their net profits to specific charities. Leena Dandekar, founder of India-based Raintree


Family Foundation, says while there were initial criticisms over the law, six years later it is now seen as a positive tool that has encouraged a culture of giving. “Since the law came into effect, there has been over $7


billion raised for charitable projects and long-term initiatives have been set up,” Dandekar says. “This law is purely a


corporate endeavour to give back to society rather than traditional philanthropy, but the government championing it has given [philanthropists] encouragement.” Bennett agrees that


governments play a big role in encouraging philanthropists to continue


ISSUE 75 | 2019


Below: Ruth Shapiro is the founder and chief executive of the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society, which identifies and supports best practice efforts in the social investment sector across Asia.


their work, but believes the relationship can develop further. “Informally the government already


encourages us to contribute by giving a tax deduction—that’s their way of saying, ‘Yes, we want you to be doing this’,” says Bennett. “But beyond that, our work can


be mutually beneficial because [philanthropists] have the chance to take risks with our giving and support new models of change that government cannot. “So we can take those risks for them,


put up the initial costs to get a project up and running and, if it goes well, the government can then step in and match funding or take it over themselves.” And this is where the role of


philanthropists now lies, says Shapiro. As the region witnesses a growing gap between rich and poor, governments previously hesitant about the role of private players in the delivery of much- needed social services, are now looking to philanthropy to help fill the gaps. “There is an enormous potential to


do more in the region and, as we can see, there is new energy and enthusiasm in the sector among governments and philanthropists wanting to make meaningful change,” she says. “With both sides looking to improve


the space together, and more wealth in the region than ever, Asia can definitely be a world leader in philanthropy.”


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