Charity Organizations in Hong Kong

Charity Organizations in Hong Kong

Charitable organizations in Hong Kong play a pivotal role in addressing social issues and supporting underserved communities. From the Chapel & York Hong Kong Foundation’s efforts in facilitating philanthropy among high-net-worth individuals, to the Community Chest’s dedication to funding social services, these organizations contribute significantly to the city’s welfare. Oxfam Hong Kong, Orbis, and HandsOn are among the leading organizations, focusing on poverty alleviation, preventable blindness, and volunteer mobilization, respectively, reflecting the diverse and impactful nature of philanthropy in Hong Kong.

Chapel & York Hong Kong Foundation

The Chapel & York Hong Kong Foundation is a charitable organization registered in Hong Kong under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. As a part of the growing philanthropic sector, the foundation operates in a region experiencing a rise in high-net-worth individuals and a greater interest in creating positive social impact. Hong Kong is emerging as a key hub for philanthropy in Asia due to its favorable economic conditions and increasing awareness of social responsibility.

The foundation likely plays a role in facilitating philanthropic endeavors by offering tax benefits and simplifying the process of giving to individuals and organizations. This aligns with the broader trend in Hong Kong where philanthropy is becoming more structured and impactful, driven by a growing number of wealthy individuals who seek to make meaningful contributions to society. 

Community Chest of Hong Kong

The Community Chest of Hong Kong is dedicated to meeting urgent social needs and supporting the underprivileged through proactive and innovative approaches. It raises funds via broad-based community appeals, which are then distributed to its member agencies and special purpose funds. 

A key commitment of the organization is ensuring that all funds collected are allocated in full to the provision of social services, with no administrative costs deducted. The funds support the delivery of high-quality services across six major areas, aimed at improving the well-being of those in need.

Oxfam Hong Kong

Oxfam Hong Kong was established in 1976 by volunteers who united to form a charitable organization. The following year, they opened a shop selling second-hand goods to raise funds for anti-poverty projects globally. In its early years, Oxfam Hong Kong focused on advocating for justice for Vietnamese refugees who fled to Hong Kong during the Vietnam War. 

Another significant initiative was providing aid to Ethiopia during the devastating 1984 famine, helping to save lives. These early efforts reflect the organization’s commitment to addressing both local and global poverty-related challenges.

Orbis

Orbis is an international non-profit organization dedicated to combating avoidable blindness worldwide. Through a collaborative network of partners, Orbis focuses on mentoring, training, and empowering local teams to address blindness within their own communities. The organization operates on the belief that no one should suffer from preventable blindness simply because of where they live or were born. 

Guided by a clear vision to transform lives, Orbis focuses on both the prevention and treatment of blindness. It holds itself to high standards in achieving its mission, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and community empowerment. The organization acknowledges the critical role that supporters play in its efforts, recognizing that millions of people would remain needlessly blind without this support. By combining training, innovation, and localized efforts, Orbis strives to reduce the global burden of preventable blindness and improve the quality of life for people across the world.

HandsOn

HandsOn is a local charity in Hong Kong focused on empowering the community to volunteer. They collaborate with under-served non-profit organizations to design service programs, helping these organizations gain the volunteer manpower needed to fulfill their missions.

Each month, HandsOn organizes 200 volunteer activities as a free public service, supporting over 150 frontline non-profits. Volunteers contribute by delivering food to the unemployed, helping children with special needs build confidence, offering companionship to the elderly, supporting domestic workers facing mistreatment, and assisting people experiencing homelessness, among other activities.