When we talk about global philanthropy, the names that most often come to mind are American billionaires and familiar institutions like the Red Cross. But outside the West, a very different, often invisible but powerful landscape of good deeds is developing. Asia and Australia are two very different stories, united by one thing: a rethinking of what it means to share.
Philanthropy in Asia exists not as an imported model but as a phenomenon rooted in its own cultural and philosophical traditions. The Chinese thinker Mozza argued as early as the 5th century BC that caring for one’s neighbor should not be limited to the family but should be universal. This idea, opposed to Confucianism’s clan system, is unexpectedly relevant in an era of global challenges.
Muslim countries in the region have a zakat obligation of compulsory alms embedded in religious practice. Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity are also forming their own forms of social assistance, from daniya (voluntary donations) to temple charity and community initiatives.
There Are Billionaires. Philanthropists not so Much?
On the face of it, Asia is an ideal field for large-scale philanthropy: the region leads the world in the number of billionaires. As of 2023, there are 495 billionaires in China, 169 in India, 66 in Hong Kong, and 52 in Taiwan. That’s more than in the US and Europe.
But growth in private giving in the region remains subdued. Unlike in the West, philanthropy is not always considered a public virtue here. It often remains a private, modest, and sometimes anonymous endeavor. In addition, lack of transparency, weak regulatory frameworks, and cultural barriers related to the notion of “face” and reputation can hinder the development of institutionalized forms of philanthropy.
India
One of the few examples of legislated business social responsibility is India. Since 2014, companies with a certain profit level are obliged to allocate 2% of their net profit to social initiatives. This is not a voluntary recommendation but part of corporate legislation.
This approach has led to a surge of activity in education, healthcare, environmental protection, and women’s entrepreneurship. While questions remain about the effectiveness of these programs, the model itself is a unique example of how the state can institutionalize goodness as a norm.
Potential yet to be realized
The Center for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) estimates that if Asian countries donated even 2% of their GDP to good causes (similar to the United States), the region could mobilize $507 billion annually. This is more than 11 times the current amount of international aid flowing to Asia, and represents nearly a third of the amount needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) globally.
Does this sound impressive? Absolutely. But the question remains: who should take the first step – government, business, or citizens themselves?
Australia
Against the backdrop of colorful success stories from the other hemisphere, Australian philanthropy seems almost invisible. And this is not an illusion: there is no public register of charitable foundations in the country. However, in the shadow of official statistics, a steady system of two types of foundations has developed: private auxiliary foundations (PAFs) and public auxiliary foundations (PubAFs).
PAFs often resemble family foundations in the US: they are not obliged to raise funds from the general public and operate quietly but effectively. Public foundations, by contrast, rely on donations and direct them to local schools, museums, clinics, or specific projects.
Even without a single database, this system is growing. Perhaps there is a logic of trust and pragmatism at work here: you don’t have to be a public philanthropist to contribute to a common cause.
What unites Asia and Australia?
- A variety of forms: from religious almsgiving to corporate responsibility.
- Focus on localization: unlike international foundations, most initiatives work “on the ground”.
- Low level of formalization: lack of public registries and weak legislative regulation do not always hamper growth.
Why Does It Matter?
When talking about global philanthropy, it is too easy to reduce it to big names and Western standards. But there are many other models of aid around the world that are less public, more embedded in everyday culture, and often more sustainable.
Asian and Australian philanthropy remind us that good deeds don’t always need fanfare. Sometimes, just doing what you think is right and doing it systematically is enough.