2009 One Foundation Philanthropy Grants Finish Initial Selection
2009/7/08/ Wednesday
        One Foundation has successfully completed the preliminary selection for its 2009 philanthropy grants. 70 NGOs entered the secondary selection. One Foundation will provide one million RMB to each winner. Potential NGOs will receive non-cash support including but not limited to training, leadership building, strategic consultation, social network integration, etc.

       One Foundation Philanthropy Grants aims at establishing a globally accepted standard for operation and appraisal of Chinese non-profit organizations to promote the growth of philanthropy in China. It is held annually since 2008. The 2009 event started from May 16 and was met with ardent responses. This year, One Foundation created a category called “Future Philanthropy Stars”. It is an annual event starting this year. One Foundation will select five or less “Future Philanthropy Stars” which are Non-Profit-Organizations that have exceptional creativity, (potential) wide social impact, outstanding sustainability and extraordinary leadership. These future philanthropy stars will be given non-cash support.

       Insiders believe that compared with developed countries in the west, China’s philanthropy faces many plights: Starting late, lack in scale and systematic development, insufficient ability to integrate social resources and to operate in an orderly manner. Currently, most of China’s NGOs are still staying in the primary phrase of philanthropy, which donates in cash or in kind. Small NGOs find it difficult to raise fund due to lack of credibility, professionalism and stability. Those NGOs are in need of improving on those aspects. A social philanthropic resource platform can give them financial support.

       According to One Foundation Executive Chair Ms. Zhou Weiyan, One Foundation wishes to make full use of its influence and platform to integrate high quality resources in China’s philanthropic circle and help establish standards for operation, promote fast development of selected NGOs. One Foundation hopes these NGOs will provide valuable experience and case studies for China’s philanthropy.

      Compared with other philanthropic events held in China, One Foundation Philanthropy Grants have stricter standards and higher entry qualifications. A strict evaluation process and though judging mechanism ensures credibility and professionalism. It’s not for barring most organizations out of the selection, but rather a way to establish industry standards by looking for philanthropy stars and remind others to realize their problems and improve their organizational system.

      One Foundation Philanthropy Grants adopts the evaluation methods of application submission, telephone interview, reference check, on-site investigation, internet voting, judge interview and oral defense. There are preliminary, secondary and final evaluations. A professional judge panel will overlook each process.

       Ms. Zhou Weiyan says that One Foundation wishes to help the society to build a healthy and sustainable philanthropic environment in China by selecting philanthropy stars and providing financial support.

       The 2008 One Foundation Philanthropy Grants selected 7 NGOs in the field of environment, healthcare, education and poverty alleviation. The 7 winners were Beijing Stars and Rain Education Research Institute, Liangshan Yi Nationality Women & Children Development Center, Beijing Global Village Environmental Education Center, Fuping Development Institute, Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women, Shaanxi Research Association for Women and Family and Tianjin Hetong Senior Citizen Welfare Association. Each organization received one million RMB from One Foundation for its projects and ability building. Currently, most of the funded projects have gone into their mid-term and all of them have reported good feedback.

        The emergence of 70 organizations marks the end of preliminary selection. Preparation for the secondary selection is already underway and is expected to conclude in mid-August. The secondary round finalist will be listed on the website for internet voting. This will be a good time for public to participate and express concerns on philanthropy, please stay tuned.