A new report from The Bridgespan Group that was unveiled on 9 September 2025 — backed by its Funder’s Council, including the Institute of Philanthropy, The Rockefeller Foundation and the Gates Foundation — reveals the world’s largest corporate givers and how they are driving scalable, lasting social impact. Among the 20 largest corporate givers globally, four Asian organizations – The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust (8), Samsung (12), Tencent (14) and China Three Gorges Corporation (20) – collectively contribute more than US$1.6 billion annually to philanthropic causes.
Though it was a long-held view that business benefits society most effectively by creating jobs, offering products and services people want, paying taxes, and/or returning profits to shareholders, corporate giving has been giving emphasis. Corporate giving is made in several ways. Indicating the ways of corporate giving, Gwendolyn Lim, co-author and Bridgespan partner, says, “Companies describe their giving in many ways, from corporate social responsibility or ESG commitments to corporate sustainability efforts or as part of their core business purpose.” He further says, “We use the term ‘corporate giving’ because it goes beyond traditional philanthropy to cover initiatives that support charitable activities that contribute positively to social and environmental outcomes.”
This second report in a multi-year series — originally led by Bridgespan with the support of the Institute of Philanthropy— not only lists the largest corporate givers but also uncovers how and why they give and what distinguishes high-impact corporate philanthropy. Indicating the importance of the success of companies, Brian San — secretary-general of the Institute of Philanthropy — says that corporate giving is no longer peripheral, it’s becoming central to how companies define success. He further says, “The most forward-thinking firms embed social impact into their core strategy, not just their CSR teams. With scale, reach, and intent, corporate-led giving is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change across diverse contexts.”
Drawing on Bridgespan’s global experience and interviews with corporate-giving leaders, the report highlights how Asia’s philanthropic landscape diverges from global norms, shaped by distinct business structures and cultural dynamics. Founder, family, and state-linked leadership is far more common in Asia: Sixty percent of the region’s largest corporate givers are founder- or family-led, compared to just 20 percent globally, reflecting Asia’s deep tradition of family-owned enterprises. Notably, 25 percent of Asia’s top givers are state-linked, while none of the top global corporate givers are, highlighting how philanthropic priorities in Asia often align with state-led initiatives.
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The report further indicates that conglomerates dominate the landscape. Only 10 percent of the world’s largest corporate givers are conglomerates, whereas 60 percent are in Asia, where multi-industry giants remain central to both business and philanthropy. Moreover, direct giving is the norm. Eighty percent of global corporate givers rely on external partners, while Asian corporate givers are more likely to fund their own projects — suggesting a hands-on approach or gaps in local partnerships.
Building on these insights, the report outlines three proven approaches used by high-impact corporate givers. The first one is place-based giving that indicates investing in communities near company operations to address local needs and build long-term resilience. The second one is capability-led giving that applies core business strengths such as technology, supply chains, manufacturing processes, or talent to create shared value for both society and the company. The final one is business-aligned giving that delivers high-value products or services to underserved populations in ways that complement and reinforce the company’s mission.
Putting emphasis on alignment with strategy and execution is vital. Putting emphasis on these, Xueling Lee, co-author and Bridgespan partner, says, “When aligned with strategy and executed thoughtfully, corporate giving can shape real outcomes for society and the environment.” There is no one-size-fits-all way to proceed. But generous intent can lead to meaningful results for individuals and their communities while enhancing a business’s long-term viability.
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