What Li Foundation does

Li Foundation is a Singapore-based private philanthropic foundation founded by Lionel Li, operating across Asia through a portfolio of self-funded and co-funded social impact programmes. Its activities span four principal verticals: (1) creative storytelling, via the Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival now active in 8+ Asian countries with a 2026 Grand Final anchored in Manila; (2) sport-for-impact, through the long-running SportCares MultiSport Programme co-funded with a SGD 500,000 commitment; (3) civic and community engagement, exemplified by Relay SG60 / Relay Majulah, a 60-team, 600km, 60-hour relay in 2025 that raised approximately SGD 800,000; and (4) leadership development and collaborative grantmaking, delivered through the Executive Leaders Program with China Global Philanthropy Institute (CGPI) and the China Early Childhood Development Collaborative co-built with the Gates Foundation, Tanoto Foundation, and Tencent.

The foundation does not sell a product or operate a technology platform; its 'delivery model' is a multi-channel programmatic architecture that combines media, sport, civic events, executive training, and pooled fund vehicles. Its beneficiaries include underserved children, low-income families, migrant workers, emerging Asian philanthropists, and grassroots NGOs. The foundation operates with a small core team (1–10 employees) and is financed primarily through founder donations — Lionel Li has contributed approximately USD 2.7 million cumulatively to CIPSI and Li Foundation programmes — alongside grants from institutional partners such as Temasek Foundation and co-funding from Gates, Tanoto and Tencent for the ECD Collaborative.

Strategically, Li Foundation positions itself less as a single-purpose grantmaker and more as a convener and ecosystem builder in Asian philanthropy, leveraging Lionel Li's TIME100 Philanthropy 2025 recognition and Asian Cultural Foundation Vanguard status to attract co-funding, partnerships, and cross-border programme scale. Its growth depends almost entirely on continued founder capital and the willingness of large institutional partners (Gates, Temasek, Tencent) to co-invest in pooled vehicles.

Name

Li Foundation

Legal name

Li Foundation Limited

Website

https://lifoundationsg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Singapore-based philanthropic foundation founded by Lionel Li that funds and runs social impact programmes across 8+ Asian countries through micro film festivals, sport-for-impact, civic relays, executive leadership training, and collaborative grantmaking with Gates, Temasek and Tanoto.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropy and Social Impact Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

Keywords

• Philanthropy foundation
• Social impact programs
• Youth development
• Community grantmaking
• Philanthropy education

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore, Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Giving and Grantmaking: Li Foundation operates as a charitable foundation that raises and deploys funds for social impact programs across Asia. Revenue is derived from donations, contributions, and partnerships rather than commercial activities. The foundation receives support from individual philanthropists, corporate partners, and co-funding arrangements (e.g., SG Gives Matching Grant matching funds raised through Relay SG60).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Li Foundation is a Singapore-based philanthropic foundation that raises and deploys charitable funds through a portfolio of social impact programs. Core offerings include the Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival (a regional storytelling competition across 8+ Asian countries), the SportCares – Li Foundation MultiSport Programme (youth sports training), Relay SG60/Relay Majulah (community charity relays), the Executive Leaders Program Singapore Module (philanthropy leadership development with CGPI), the China Early Childhood Development Collaborative, and donor-led funds administered through Asia Community Foundation.

Product overview

Li Foundation is a Singapore-based philanthropy organization operating as a collection of programs and collaborative funds rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include Inspiring Asia (a regional storytelling platform featuring the Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival), the SportCares – Li Foundation MultiSport Programme (youth sports development), Relay SG60/Relay Majulah (community charity relays), the Executive Leaders Program (ELP) Singapore Module (leadership development with CGPI), and the China Early Childhood Development Collaborative. The Foundation also manages several donor funds through Asia Community Foundation including the Inspiring Asia Fund, Investing in Entrepreneurs for Impact Fund, and U-Go Fund. Additionally, it publishes commemorative books documenting its initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Inspiring Asia: Flagship platform that harnesses storytelling to promote positive social change across the region, includes Micro Film Festival and regional competitions
• SportCares – Li Foundation MultiSport Programme
• Relay Majulah
• Relay SG60
• Executive Leaders Program (ELP)
• Life Impact Fund (LIF)
• Inspiring Asia Fund
• Investing in Entrepreneurs for Impact Fund
• U-Go Fund

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 youth participants benefited from SportCares MultiSport Programme since 2019
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, regional lead, regional partner, implementation partner, impact partner and ecosystem partner.

• China Global Philanthropy Institute (CGPI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2026Joint organizer of Executive Leaders Program (ELP) Singapore Module, bringing together 18 senior philanthropy and social sector leaders for a week-long immersive learning journey exploring Singapore's philanthropy ecosystem.
• Zephyr Running ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025Co-organizer of Relay SG60 charity relay event commemorating Singapore's 60th year of independence. 60 teams ran 600km over 60 hours, raising over SGD 800,000 for Community Chest.
• Asia Community Foundation (ACF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Pioneer funder of ACF, Singapore's first independent Asia-focused community foundation. Li Foundation participates in collaborative funds including Inspiring Asia Fund, Investing in Entrepreneurs for Impact Fund (as Champion donor), and U-Go Fund.
• Sport Singapore / SportCarescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Co-organizer of SportCares – Li Foundation Multi Sport Programme. S$500,000 donation (largest to date) for 5-year renewal, matched dollar-for-dollar by One Team Singapore Fund. Program grew to 500+ participants.
• Tencent FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey supporter of Relay SG60, contributing as major donor and fielding one of the event's largest participating teams. Discussed potential collaboration on China ECD Collaborative Initiative and technology-enabled philanthropy.
• xchange (Philippines)regional leadChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInspiring Asia's key regional partner in the Philippines. Impact-first venture and ecosystem builder supporting social enterprises and strengthening the impact ecosystem.
• Ayala Foundationregional leadStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner of Inspiring Asia in the Philippines. Social development arm of Ayala Group supporting education, youth leadership, sustainable livelihood, arts and culture, and community development.
• Fire & Ice Entertainment (Philippines)regional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilippine-based creative and entertainment group and regional partner of Inspiring Asia, bringing storytelling and creative engagement experience to the Philippines Regional Festival.
• Harmony Community Foundation (Guangzhou)regional leadStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey regional partner of Inspiring Asia in China. Committed to supporting emerging community-based nonprofit organisations and identifying local changemakers. Alice Liu is also member of Asia Philanthropy Circle.
• Guangzhou Philanthropy Academyregional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerChina's first academy dedicated to philanthropy education and cultural research, established June 2014. Supported by Harmony Foundation, focuses on talent development and foundational research.
• Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy (HKAWL)regional leadChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHong Kong Regional Lead Partner for Inspiring Hong Kong. Discussion centered on connecting philanthropy, storytelling, and community impact to create a platform for local stories.
• Under Production (Hong Kong)implementation partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHong Kong Implementation Partner for Inspiring Hong Kong, bringing essential local production experience and creative execution.
• ArtX HK Institute (City University of Hong Kong)impact partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Partner adding arts, culture, and innovation perspective to Inspiring Hong Kong through Professor Fen Jennifer Lin.
• University of Chicago Booth School of Businessimpact partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerHong Kong campus confirmed as venue for Inspiring Hong Kong final screening and award ceremony.
• Gates FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Giving China 2025 Report. Partner in China Early Childhood Development Collaborative Initiative. Set up Singapore office May 2025 to mobilize at least USD 100 million for Health for Human Potential Community.
• Tanoto FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in China Early Childhood Development Collaborative Initiative. Co-funded study with APC and Li Foundation reviewing ECD policies in China, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore. Contributed over $30 million to Singapore healthcare since 2009.
• Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding members of Asia Community Foundation. Li Foundation participates in Inspiring Asia Fund and Investing in Entrepreneurs for Impact Fund through APC network.
• Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform uniting funders, implementers, and sector leaders to catalyze collaborative philanthropy. Li Foundation participates in PAA events and learning exchanges.
• Temasek FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchanges on strategic philanthropy and systems-level impact. Shared insights on research and ecosystem building approaches at ELP Singapore Module.
• Special Olympics Asia PacificmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConversation on advancing inclusion for persons with intellectual disabilities through cross-sector collaboration. Special Olympics operates 200+ programs across 177 countries, reaching 4.6 million athletes annually.
• Bloomberg PhilanthropiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange on technology-enabled philanthropy and exploring collaborative approaches to social impact.
• ImpactSGecosystem partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHelps match funding to needs in Singapore and Asia. Engaged with 100+ individuals since launch November 2024, with $600,000 in annual donations committed through partnership with Farro Capital.
• Leap201ecosystem partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenture philanthropy approach demonstrating how rigorous due diligence and patient capital can help scale early-stage social ventures.
• China Institute for Philanthropy and Social Innovation (CIPSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSD 2.7 million cumulative donation to CIPSI at Renmin University of China, supporting the China Third Sector Observation Report 2026-2036 and academic research on philanthropy.
• Renmin University of China Education FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange on advancing philanthropy in higher education. Delegates expressed strong interest in Inspiring Asia and exploring academic exchanges in public governance and social sciences.
• Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of world's leading foundations focused on improving children's lives. Discussion on cross-border philanthropy and international funding flows into China.
• Lorinet Foundationregional partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional Partner of Inspiring Mongolia 2025. Hosted Youth Rehabilitation Film Screening featuring semi-finalist film 'Dandelion, Resilience Behind the Silence' from nearly 900 submissions.
• Singapore International Foundationecosystem partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized Asia's Rising Circle 2026 program. Dr Ada Zhang introduced Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival to emerging leaders from ASEAN, India, and China.
• Singapore Mentorship Committee (SMC)ecosystem partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange on youth leadership development with tri-generational mentorship model. Shared belief in values-driven leadership and global mindset cultivation.
• SUSS Academyecosystem partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange on leadership development and capacity building for social sector. SUSS Academy developing executive-level continuing education for nonprofit practitioners.
• Community Chest SingaporecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeneficiary of Relay SG60, receiving over SGD 800,000 for 300+ charitable programmes supporting children with special needs, youth-at-risk, adults with disabilities, seniors, families in need, and persons with mental health conditions.
• elea Foundation for Ethics in GlobalizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of Philanthropic Investing Collective (PIC), a 3-year learning journey with ACF and APC to deepen members' impact investing knowledge.
• Singapore Management University Business Families Instituteecosystem partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed Moonshot Philanthropy Report examining bold systems change approaches. Li Foundation participated through interview contributing to research.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tencent Foundation: Corporate foundation of Tencent focused on technology-enabled philanthropy and youth programs in China. Partnered on Relay SG60 and in discussions on China ECD Collaborative Initiative, making it both a peer in scale and an ecosystem partner.
• Bloomberg Philanthropies: Global philanthropic vehicle of Michael Bloomberg with active Asia programs (e.g., Bloomberg Philanthropies' Cities Initiative). Li Foundation has held exchanges on technology-enabled philanthropy, placing them in the same ecosystem of cross-border philanthropy leaders.
• Tanoto Foundation: Asia-focused family foundation that partners with Li Foundation on the China Early Childhood Development Collaborative; co-funded ECD study covering China, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore, and is a significant China-Asia philanthropy counterparty.
• Children's Investment Fund Foundation: Large global foundation focused on children's lives; engaged in dialogue with Li Foundation on cross-border philanthropy and international funding flows into China, putting it in the same Asia-philanthropy convener orbit.
• Temasek Foundation: Major Singapore philanthropy institution that runs the Philanthropy Asia Alliance and the Philanthropy Asia Summit; a strategic partner and ecosystem convener for Li Foundation. Operates at substantially larger scale across a wider portfolio.

Regional players

• Ayala Foundation: Social development arm of the Ayala Group in the Philippines, partnering with Li Foundation as a regional lead for Inspiring Asia Philippines. Functions as a comparable Philippines-based philanthropic platform spanning education, youth leadership, and community development.
• Harmony Community Foundation: Guangzhou-based regional foundation supporting emerging community-based nonprofits in China; key regional lead partner for Inspiring China. Operates primarily in mainland China and serves as a comparable China-focused community foundation.

Direct peers

• Asia Community Foundation: Singapore-based independent Asia-focused community foundation where Li Foundation is a pioneer funder and through which it operates the Inspiring Asia Fund, U-Go Fund, and Investing in Entrepreneurs for Impact Fund. Closest structural peer as a Singapore-incorporated philanthropic vehicle.
• China Global Philanthropy Institute: Shenzhen-based philanthropy education and research institute that co-organizes the Executive Leaders Program Singapore Module with Li Foundation and recognized Lionel Li with an Outstanding Alumni Award. Closest peer in developing Asia philanthropy leadership capacity.
• Asia Philanthropy Circle: Asia-focused philanthropic circle and ecosystem-builder; Li Foundation is a member and participates in pooled funds through APC. Closest peer in mission and structure as a network-oriented philanthropic platform rather than a single-purpose foundation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lifoundationsg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifoundationsg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Li Foundation