Asia’s wealthiest families approach philanthropy much like they approach business: by managing projects directly and keeping a close eye on outputs, rather than simply writing checks. According to a new report from the Bridgespan Group released in Hong Kong on Sept. 7, this "hands-on" approach significantly distinguishes the Asian model from its Western counterpart.
Corporate Control and Government Partnerships
The report highlights that Asian fortunes are younger than those in the rest of the world. About 94% of the families studied are in their first or second generation of wealth, and most still control the businesses that generated their riches. Consequently, between 80% and 95% of wealthy families in Asia give through their businesses, compared to just 28% in high-income Western economies, where donors prefer independent foundations like those of Bill Gates or Warren Buffett.
Another defining characteristic is the willingness to work with the state. More than three-quarters of Asian family philanthropies partner with the government, versus 58% outside Asia. Gwendolyn Lim, head of Southeast Asia at Bridgespan, notes that Western donors often get "nervous" about working closely with the state, preferring to influence government through advocacy instead.
Metrics and Funding Gaps
Asian philanthropists are more likely to report quantitative outputs, such as the number of schools built or teachers trained, with over 80% reporting such metrics. However, relatively few families—in Asia or elsewhere—report on actual outcomes, or how lives were fundamentally changed by their interventions.
The need for private giving is becoming critical as the region faces a development funding shortfall of $26 trillion through 2030. This gap has been exacerbated by the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID programs, which canceled roughly 83% of the agency's regional initiatives. As Lim concedes, neither governments nor philanthropy can fully plug the hole left by the withdrawal of Washington’s support.
