Venture Philanthropy is a new type of charity investment originated in Europe and America. It provides ‘seed money’ and ‘working capitals’ for newly established and small-to-medium sized NGOs (especially social enterprises and social entrepreneurs). In addition to financial support, it also provides management and technical support. Through  long-term partnership with the grantees, it helps them to improve their capacity and establish innovative and effective business models.

As a supporting organization for grassroots NGOs and social enterprises, NPI fully understands their needs for financial support, consultation on business operation and institutional capacity building.  We actively collaborate with companies and government agencies to explore appropriate models of venture philanthropy in China and establish an effective platform to support NGOs and social enterprises. 

At present, NPI is collaborating with Lenovo Greater China on Lenovo Venture Philanthropy Program. We also initiated and are now organizing the first Shanghai Community Services Venture Philanthropy Competition hosted by Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau. Just recently NPI worked with Apax Partners to launch the Apax Partners Venture Philanthropy Program. The Venture Philanthropy Program developed and operated by NPI is a pioneering approach in China, and well received as a role model. 

Lenovo Venture Philanthropy Program

Proposed by NPI and funded by Lenovo, Lenovo Venture Philanthropy Program supports outstanding NGOs to carry out institutional development projects in China. It is an innovative exploration for Lenovo to fulfill its CSR, also to encourage other companies to get involved in the development of the Third Sector. Since initiated by NPI and funded by Lenovo Greater China in December 2007, the Lenovo Venture Philanthropy Program has been successfully implemented for two phases. This project drew continuous attention from NGOs in China and received more than 90 applications on each phase. The operational model for selecting, monitoring and evaluating the performance of NGOs has been developed successfully. NPI designed the overall framework for Lenovo Venture Philanthropy program, drafted the funding system, developed the application process, and prepared the whole documentation. We are also responsible for accepting NGO applications, setting up the assessment committee, organizing the evaluation and monitoring the implementation and etc.