Founded in 1966 in Hualien, Taiwan, by Master Cheng Yen, the Tzu Chi Foundation (Buddhist Compassionate Relief Foundation) operates with the spirit of "Great Compassion, Great Love for All." It leads Tzu Chi volunteers around the world with the motto, "Lead from the front, work until the end," showcasing the charitable power of Buddhism. The foundation focuses on four major missions: Charity, Medicine, Education, and Humanity, alongside eight key initiatives including International Disaster Relief, Community Volunteers, Bone Marrow Transplantation, and Environmental Protection.
The foundation's projects, such as building hospitals, fostering talent through education, and constructing homes for the disadvantaged, have expanded from Taiwan to a global scale. In times of crisis, Tzu Chi has been quick to provide aid, such as during the Wenchuan Earthquake, the South Asia Tsunami, the 2011 Japan Earthquake, and the Typhoon Haiyan disaster in the Philippines. By the 55th anniversary of Tzu Chi in 2021, volunteers were active in 66 countries and regions, providing assistance to 125 countries.
The President of Kaohsiung E-Da Hospital and an expert in neuro-microsurgery, he is known globally for his "Tu's surgical reconstruction treatments" and his invention of the "Brachial Plexus Surgery" that has saved countless patients from paralysis or amputation. During his time at Taipei Medical University, he was deeply inspired by the biography of Mother Teresa and vowed to help others. Since becoming an attending physician in 1990, he has donated half of his salary, with total donations exceeding 100 million NTD. He often pays for patients' medical and hospitalization fees and even covers the costs for caregivers. After a serious illness last year, he realized the impermanence of life and decided to donate all his assets for charity after his passing. He lives in the hospital president's office and only returns home once a year: on New Year's Eve to hand out red envelopes. Aside from outpatient clinics and surgeries, he volunteers on holidays, whether it’s on outlying islands or overseas, such as in India and El Salvador, leaving traces of his selfless dedication.
Due to her daughter’s cerebral palsy, she founded the Children are us foundation 26 years ago. Through initiatives like creating friendly workplaces such as a bakery and adopting industry management models, she effectively reduced reliance on government and donations, promoting innovation in employment and social participation for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Guided by the philosophy of "lifelong education, lifelong care," she nurtures skills and encourages the potential of individuals with disabilities to integrate into society, reversing prejudice against them. She has pioneered a new economic force for society, helping individuals with disabilities transform from "resource users" to "resource creators," establishing a sustainable model of operation. Additionally, she created the Swan Castle to provide comprehensive care across different life stages, including living, employment, health, and elderly care, ensuring proper care for those with intellectual disabilities.
The only son, Benji, suffered from a speech disorder and became happy and confident after speech therapy, but unfortunately passed away at the age of five. In 2004, the first non-profit speech therapy organization in Hong Kong, "Benji’s Centre" was established to serve underprivileged children under the age of 16. A social enterprise was also launched, with all profits allocated to funding. The founder transformed personal grief into the driving force to help others, providing treatment for countless underprivileged children with speech disorders. With the founder’s personal experience, they also supported parents through difficult times, helping them regain hope. Over the past decade, the center has treated more than 3,800 children, with centers in Sham Shui Po and Sha Tin currently serving over 250 children. The Centre also provides support services for parents, walking alongside them. with Centres in Sham Shui Po and Sha Tin currently serving over 250 children. The Centre also provides support services for parents, walking alongside them.
The first philanthropist in China, founder and chairman of Fuyao Group; donor and first chairman of the Heren Charitable Foundation. He has been actively involved in philanthropy since 1983, donating 16 billion RMB to society, covering areas such as disaster relief, poverty alleviation, assistance to the needy, education, and culture. In 2021, he donated another 10 billion RMB to establish Fuyao University and cultivate scientific and technological talents. In 2011, he donated 300 million RMB in stocks to establish the foundation. Over the past decade, the foundation has funded 242 charitable projects, benefiting over ten provinces. In 2020, the foundation’s public welfare expenditure reached 1.586 billion RMB. In 2019, the State Council's Leading Group for Poverty Alleviation awarded him the "National Poverty Alleviation Contribution Award," and in 2020, he received the honor of "Advanced Individual in the Private Economy for Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic." He is praised as a representative of Chinese entrepreneurial spirit and a true philanthropist of China.
Engaged in the protection and research of endangered species like giant pandas and snow leopards. Her charitable actions are threefold:
Founded the Shan Shui Nature Conservation Center in 2007 to demonstrate harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and the Peking University Nature Conservation and Social Development Research Center in 2008, focusing on policy research and leadership development. Awarded the "National Environmental Protection Outstanding Contribution Award" by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the "Social Service Award" by the China Association of Women Scientists.
Growing up in a rural area in Northwest China, in 2003, the founder established the "Western Love Public Welfare Network," which started with just three volunteers and has grown to over 80,000 volunteers. The number of children they’ve helped has grown from 10 to over 30,000. By 2019, more than 170 of the children funded had graduated from university, and over 60 became volunteers and donors. Over 18 years, they have supported 30,069 children. Since 2010, the network has launched various charity projects across the country, covering 27 workstations, and collaborating on projects such as music choirs, e-learning classrooms, and environmental protection with organizations in multiple provinces.
Born in Singapore, he moved to Australia in 1970 and earned a first-class honors degree in engineering from the University of New South Wales. In 1981, he founded the Chinese Australian Services Society, serving as the founding president and honorary executive director. Over 40 years, the organization grew into a comprehensive non-profit charity, with a team of 450 people offering services in childcare, homecare for the elderly, aged care, disability support, Chinese cultural education, and settlement services for East Asian immigrants. Each week, over 4,000 families benefit from these services. In 2006, after losing his sight due to an attack, he continued to use specialized computer software for social work, fundraising for disadvantaged groups, advocating for government policies, and promoting mutual assistance among diverse ethnic communities. In 1997, he received the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), and in 2007, he was awarded the New South Wales Premier’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service.