Founded 2010 · Honolulu, Hawaii
The East-West Philanthropy Forum is an international network of action-oriented philanthropists and their families, dedicated to partnerships that address today's most urgent social and environmental challenges.
Sixth SummitHonolulu · January 3–5, 2027 Download the brochure (PDF)About
The East-West Philanthropy Forum (EWPF) has convened international workshops, East-West Philanthropists Summits, sustainability summits, round table conferences, bilateral forums and other high-level exchanges for nearly two decades. It serves as a platform for cross-cultural exchange and collaboration among prominent philanthropists from East and West.
Its work has covered sustainability, conservation and climate change, public health, art and education, empowerment of women and youth, and family legacy. Driven by united actions and innovative ideas, EWPF has helped establish important joint philanthropy projects between the United States and China and internationally.
Unite prominent philanthropists from East and West and lead them in addressing today's most pressing social and environmental challenges with innovative, high impact ideas and actions.
Serve as the leading global platform for cross-cultural exchange and collaboration among prominent, action-oriented philanthropists from East and West.
How we work
EWPF Summits are small by design. Their results come from putting the right people in the same room and following through afterwards.
Each gathering is organized to end in joint projects. Several of the partnerships listed below began as introductions at a summit.
Summits are closed-door and invitation-only, with no press in the room, so participants can speak freely. A summary may be released afterwards.
EWPF is a non-political, people-to-people platform. It complements dialogue between governments and does not take political positions.
Meetings run with simultaneous translation throughout, so every participant follows the full conversation.
2027 Summit
Earlier Summits focused on sustainability, biodiversity, climate change, art and education, public health and empowering women and youth. The sixth summit turns to artificial intelligence: what philanthropy can contribute to its governance and safety, and how it can be used for good.
Participation is by invitation only. Inquiries: info@ewpf.org
Impact
Projects and partnerships that EWPF inspired, initiated or incubated.
After being introduced at the 2014 summit, Hank Paulson and Niu Gensheng formed a partnership between the Paulson Institute and the Lao Niu Foundation to protect China's coastal wetlands. It now includes three projects; the Lao Niu Foundation donated $1 million for the first year and continued funding in successive years.
Hank Paulson and Cao Dewang engaged the Paulson Institute and the Heren Foundation to explore a national park model that fits the Chinese context and meets international standards, with case studies in seven countries and pilot work around Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province.
Ray Dalio pledged $2 million a year for five years to strengthen philanthropy in China through research and training. In November 2015 he, Bill Gates, Niu Gensheng, He Qiaonyu and Ye Qingjun announced the establishment of CGPI, which had trained more than 500 philanthropy professionals by the end of 2018.
In memory of early and enthusiastic EWPF participant Richard Rockefeller, Valerie Rockefeller Wayne and Niu Ben of the Lao Niu Brother & Sister Foundation launched a fellowship supporting capacity building, youth leadership and strategic philanthropy.
The Lao Niu Foundation and the Milken Family Foundation began sharing experience and resources so that Lao Niu Children's Museums in China meet international operating standards.
Soichiro Fukutake donated US$1 million to establish the Fukutake Center for Art & Philanthropy at CGPI. Inspired by his example, philanthropist Dong Fangjun unveiled plans to revitalize Peach Flower Island through art, culture and nature.
With EWPF's help, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation and the Qiaonyu Foundation launched a plan to help developing countries strengthen action on climate change and nature conservation.
Restore the Earth Foundation and the Changjiang Conservation Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue the ecological restoration of the Yangtze and Mississippi river basins.
At the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, philanthropists including Niu Gensheng and Dang Yanbao spoke collectively on a global stage for the first time, offering their support for the Paris Agreement.
After study tours and meetings with EWPF, Dang Yanbao donated 200 million yuan to support the Global Climate Change and Green Development Fund at Tsinghua University.
EWPF and CGPI launched IPIC as the first international platform for China's young philanthropists, to support social entrepreneurship and exchange with young philanthropists around the world.
EWPF's first European expansion, established in Rome in March 2019 with the China Development Research Foundation, CGPI and TOChina Hub to advance philanthropic exchange between the two countries.
Summits
A record of EWPF's main gatherings.
Organized by the East-West Center and the China Philanthropy Research Institute to bring leading philanthropists from China and the United States together on issues of common concern.
Focused on China and US foundation leaders. Co-sponsored by Cao Dewang and Marc Nathanson, with more than 50 participants representing 12 foundations from each country.
Held with CGPI and supported by the Beijing Qiaonyu Foundation. Discussions covered global philanthropy's mission in the 21st century, public-private partnerships and social finance innovation.
Held in concert with the IUCN World Conservation Congress. 130 high-level participants discussed biodiversity, green finance, clean energy and sustainable business. Co-sponsored by the Lao Niu Foundation and the Beijing Qiaonyu Foundation.
“United Action for a Sustainable Planet.” Nearly 100 philanthropic leaders discussed marine conservation, climate change, sustainable cities, green finance and impact investing.
Sponsored by the Ningxia Yanbao Charity Foundation and CGPI. Government and nonprofit leaders from China, the US and other countries discussed climate change, poverty alleviation, education and medical care.
Held at the Lincean National Academy of Sciences with more than 30 leaders from philanthropy, business, the arts and academia. The event marked the launch of the East-West Philanthropists Circle.
Co-organized with Philanthropy Australia and the Bridging Hope Foundation. Participants discussed climate and environment, philanthropy training, arts and culture, and medical and senior care.
The first post-Covid in-person East-West Philanthropists Summit was held on January 13–15, 2025 with the Gates Foundation, Peking University Education Foundation (US) and Give2Asia as strategic partners. Philanthropists and experts from the US, China, Japan and India discussed the importance of using philanthropy for innovation and international understanding. Issues included strengthening leadership, improving education and promoting science for good.
Since 2014 the summits have engaged leading philanthropists from both sides of the Pacific, including Michael Bloomberg, Hank Paulson, Richard Rockefeller, Ray Dalio and Michael Milken, alongside Niu Gensheng, He Qiaonyu, Cao Dewang, Dang Yanbao and Wu Jianmin.
Timeline
East-West Philanthropy Forum