Hong Kong Jockey Club Marks Decade of Global Philanthropic Dialogue

The forum, convened by the Club’s Charities Trust in association with the Institute of Philanthropy, featured more than 80 speakers representing government, academia, and the private sector. Discussions ranged from the evolution of corporate giving in the Greater Bay Area to the role of philanthropy in expanding global economic opportunity. A highlight included the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Club and Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to advance early childhood development, building on the earlier integration of the CoolThink@JC curriculum in Cambodian primary schools.

At a gala dinner held at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, speakers emphasized the necessity of long-term vision in charitable work. Dr. Starry Lee, President of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR, noted that future philanthropic success will hinge on talent development and capacity building. Meanwhile, The Bridgespan Group released research during the event identifying The Hong Kong Jockey Club as the largest corporate donor in Asia and the eighth largest globally, with annual donations averaging US$774 million between 2020 and 2024.

Closing the sessions, Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges stressed that meaningful impact requires disciplined, multi-sector partnerships. Since its inception in 2016, the PBC forum has engaged approximately 10,000 participants from over 40 countries, cementing its role as a key platform for navigating the complexities of modern philanthropy.