Shanghai Sunrise

What Shanghai Sunrise does

Shanghai Sunrise is a volunteer-led non-profit organization founded in 1996 and registered as a program under the Shanghai Charity Foundation (SCF). It provides annual scholarships of 6,500 RMB to underprivileged Shanghai youth to enable them to complete high school and university education they could not otherwise afford, covering expenses such as tuition, books, uniforms, meals, and transportation. The targeted beneficiary segment is low-income Shanghai students who fall through the cracks of government support; the organization has cumulatively created 12,080+ scholarships and supported 3,600+ students since inception.

Beyond direct financial support, the organization runs a portfolio of student-development programs including the CareerStart career-readiness program, the Online English Corner (launched in 2020), a mentorship initiative administered with the Rotary Club of Shanghai, internship placements with corporate sponsors, and recurring Student-Sponsor connection events such as annual Pairing Ceremonies and 'Meet Your Student' gatherings. The technology footprint is minimal: the organization operates a Wix-hosted website, social media accounts on WeChat, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and email campaigns, with no proprietary platforms, applications, or AI/ML systems. Execution rests on just two full-time staff and approximately 60 volunteers organized around functional pillars such as Sponsor Relations, Fundraising & Events, Marketing & Communications, and Student Programs.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations, organized around three streams: individual sponsorships at 6,500 RMB per student per year (including creative programs like 'Donate Your Birthday'), corporate sponsorship programs with multi-student commitments and in-kind support from partners such as Parker Hannifin, Drees & Sommer, Otto International, Bartra Wealth Advisors, Hays, and Visteon, and fundraising events including galas, the EGG Walkathon, and art exhibitions. The acquisition model is community-led and event-driven, leveraging personal networks, NGO fairs, coffee mornings, and the signature annual Pairing Ceremony. Cumulative donations exceed 35 million RMB, and 2020 fundraising totaled approximately 2 million RMB including 230,000 RMB from a special email campaign.

Name

Shanghai Sunrise

Legal name

Shanghai Sunrise

Website

https://shanghaisunrise.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shanghai Sunrise is a volunteer-led non-profit organization operating under the Shanghai Charity Foundation since 1996, providing 6,500 RMB annual scholarships plus career and mentoring programs to underprivileged Shanghai high school and university students through individual and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Non-Profit / Charitable Scholarship Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Foundation/NGO & Philanthropic Scholarships (EDAIAOAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Degree-Level Scholarships (Undergrad/Masters/PhD/Postdoc) (EDAIAOAE), Corporate & Employer-Sponsored Scholarships (EDAIAOAI)

Keywords

• Education scholarships
• Nonprofit charitable services
• Youth education charity
• Student sponsorship programs
• Community education support

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

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. Individual Sponsorships: Individual sponsors contribute 6,500 RMB per year to sponsor a high school or university student's education. Sponsors can also donate through various programs like 'Donate Your Birthday' or make one-time donations.
2. Corporate Sponsorship Programs: Corporate partners sponsor multiple students, provide in-kind donations, volunteer time, or participate in team-building activities with students. Companies like Parker Hannifin, Drees & Sommer, Otto International, and Bartra Wealth Advisors are corporate sponsors.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events including galas, charity walks (EGG Walkathon), art exhibitions, and various community events raise funds for program expenses and student support.
4. General Donations: General donations from individuals and organizations help cover program expenses including student selection, home visits, sponsor-student events and development programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Shanghai Sunrise provides high school and university scholarships (6,500 RMB per year per student) to underprivileged youth in Shanghai, covering education-related expenses such as tuition, books, uniforms, lunch, and transportation. It supplements these financial scholarships with student development programs including CareerStart career training, Online English Corner, and mentoring, alongside signature Student-Sponsor events such as the annual Pairing Ceremony and Meet Your Student gatherings.

Product overview

Shanghai Sunrise is a volunteer-led non-profit organization offering a portfolio of educational support programs centered around its core high school and university scholarship programs. The organization provides direct financial assistance for education-related expenses while supplementing this support with personal development initiatives including the CareerStart career development program, Online English Corner, and mentoring opportunities. Additional programs include student-sponsor connection events, internship facilitation, and creative fundraising options such as 'Sponsor A Student' and 'Donate Your Birthday.'

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High School Scholarship Program Financial scholarships of 6,500 RMB per year enabling underprivileged high school students in Shanghai to continue their education by covering education-related expenses such as tuition, books, uniforms, lunch, and transportation.
• University Scholarship Program Financial scholarships of 6,500 RMB per year supporting underprivileged university students in Shanghai to complete their higher education by covering education-related expenses.
• Sponsor A Student Individual sponsorship program allowing donors to directly support a specific underprivileged high school or university student's education at 6,500 RMB per year.
• Donate Your Birthday Creative fundraising program where donors celebrate their birthday by asking friends and family to donate to Shanghai Sunrise instead of giving personal gifts.
• Corporate Sponsorship Programs Partnership programs enabling corporations to sponsor multiple students, provide in-kind donations, and engage in team-building activities with Shanghai Sunrise scholars.
• CareerStart Program Annual student career development and training program featuring career talks, internship opportunities, CV coaching, and skills development workshops for Shanghai Sunrise scholarship students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,080+ scholarships created, helping 3,600+ students continue their education
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, hero corporate sponsor, minor and core.

• Parker HannifinmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2025Global leader in motion and control technologies for diversified industrial and aerospace markets since 1917. Committed to sponsoring five high school students with focus on STEM education, community needs and sustainability.
• Drees & SommermajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 August 2025Global leader in construction and real estate consulting headquartered in Germany with over 50 years of experience, 63 offices, and more than 6,000 employees worldwide. Committed to social responsibility by investing in education to create lasting positive change in the community.
• InterContinental Shanghai PudongmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 November 2024Sponsored the 2024 Shanghai Sunrise Pairing Ceremony on November 9, 2024, celebrating their 28 years of operation by supporting the annual event.
• Rotary Club of ShanghaimajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Longtime sponsor providing scholarships and mentorship programs. Manages a mentoring program where university students are paired with Rotary members for career guidance and support.
• Hays Recruitmenthero corporate sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Professional recruitment consultants who hosted CV coaching sessions at CareerStart events and are recognized as a Shanghai Sunrise Hero Corporate Sponsor.
• Education for HumanityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Partner organization that gave inspiring speeches at the Meet Your Student event, encouraging students to study hard and strive towards career aspirations.
• GM China Women CouncilminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Partner organization that participated in the Meet Your Student event with sponsor speakers encouraging students.
• Otto InternationalmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Global leader in multi-channel retail and sustainable sourcing, part of the German Otto Group. Proudly sponsored ten Shanghai Sunrise students since 2018. Provides financial support, donates products to students, and sends volunteers.
• Bartra Wealth Advisorshero corporate sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Hero Corporate Sponsor that has committed to sponsoring the high school education of 20 young students since 2017. Provides CareerStart First Job Kits filled with work essentials including stationery kits, USB sticks and career resources.
• VisteonmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Longtime corporate sponsor that organized the Discovery Expedition at their Asia Pacific head office in Shanghai, hosting 13 students for career talks and department tours.
• AmCham ShanghaimajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai created 'Three Stories' short film about Shanghai Sunrise at the 2017 AmCham Ball. Donations funded education of nine high school students and launched a Student Support Program for 226 students.
• Shanghai Charity Foundation (SCF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Shanghai Sunrise is a registered program under the Shanghai Charity Foundation. SCF provides administrative support, helps identify families in need of financial assistance, and provides organizational credibility. The partnership dates back to 1996 when SCF was newly created and eager to find charitable causes.
• Goodman GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMentioned as a sponsor partner on the Shanghai Sunrise blog.
• Hyatt on the BundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue sponsor for the 25th anniversary celebration and fundraising gala.
• Kunlun Jing'an HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue for the 25th annual Pairing Ceremony; the relationship dates back to 1996 when Hilton Hotel hosted ceremonies. Has been hosting Pairing Ceremonies since 2019.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Room to Read: Global non-profit providing scholarships, literacy programs, and gender equality in education across Asia and Africa. Comparable in operating a structured scholarship-plus-mentoring model for underprivileged students, but at much larger international scale.
• Better Education for Kids (BEK): Non-profit organizing student sponsorships and educational support for underprivileged children in China. Comparable because it operates the same per-student sponsorship structure for Chinese youth, relying on individual and corporate donors.
• Yao Foundation: China-based charitable foundation founded by Yao Ming focusing on education, youth development, and rural school construction. It is comparable because it operates a similar philanthropy-driven education scholarship and school support model in China with corporate and individual donors.
• Zigen Charity Foundation (真光彩公益基金会): Non-profit dedicated to providing financial and educational support to underprivileged children in rural and migrant communities in China. Comparable because it shares a similar mission of funding education for underserved Chinese youth through donor sponsorship.
• Springboard Foundation (China): Shanghai-based volunteer-run foundation funding education and welfare programs for underprivileged children in China. Comparable because of its volunteer-driven operations in Shanghai and shared expat-led donor model supporting student scholarships.
• Cypress Education Foundation: China-focused volunteer-led non-profit funding educational opportunities for underprivileged children. Comparable because of its similar volunteer-led, donor-funded scholarship model serving low-income Chinese students.
• Hands On Shanghai: Shanghai-based volunteer-led non-profit mobilizing expatriates and locals to serve community programs. It is comparable because it shares Shanghai Sunrise's volunteer-driven operating model and donor base of corporate and expat supporters in the same city.

Broad incumbents

• One Foundation (一个基金会): Large Chinese private foundation established by Jet Li supporting education, disaster relief, and poverty alleviation. Comparable in funding education programs for underprivileged Chinese youth, but it operates at significantly larger national scale across multiple cause areas.
• Amity Foundation (爱德基金会): One of China's largest NGOs, providing education, poverty relief, and social welfare programs including student scholarships. Comparable because it funds scholarships and education access for underprivileged Chinese students, though it operates a much broader portfolio at national scale.
• Soong Ching Ling Foundation (宋庆龄基金会): Major Chinese state-affiliated foundation funding children's education, welfare, and scientific programs nationwide. Comparable as a long-standing Chinese foundation channeling donations to education and youth causes, though it operates at far greater national scale and scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Shanghaisunrize
• Facebookfacebook.com/OfficialShanghaiSunrise
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shanghai-sunrise
• Instagraminstagram.com/shanghai_sunrise

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shanghai Sunrise