Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
July 30, 2009
Jet Li: Modern monk can run my charity
By Michelle Tay
Jet Li's (left) charity, headquartered in China, is based on the notion that if each person donates at least one dollar or yuan each month, the individual donations can be transformed into a much greater fund. --PHOTO: UBS
TWO years ago, Chinese movie star and philanthropist Jet Li set up the One Foundation because he was pondering the meaning of life.
His charity, headquartered in China, is based on the notion that if each person donates at least one dollar or yuan each month, the individual donations can be transformed into a much greater fund.
It aims to address issues related to disaster relief, health and education.
Today, more than one million volunteers have pledged their commitment to his cause by registering on the One Foundation website (www.onefoundation.cn), said Mr Li.
But his main concern now is to ensure the charity is as professionally managed as a corporation.
Speaking in Mandarin at the UBS 'thought leadership' seminar Building Leadership in Philanthropy in Asia on Thursday, Mr Li said: 'Perhaps the One Foundation is not that large now, but I hope that as long as there are human beings with heart, we can develop the foundation sustainably.'
This involves solving problems that plague non-governmental organisations in China, which include the lack of credibility, transparency, a long-term vision and too much hassle involved in making a donation.
The foundation has spent two million yuan on building public credibility. This involved engaging major accounting firm Deloitte as its global auditor and enabling donations to be made via mobile phones.
Said Mr Li: 'I use the same methods that any corporate entity uses to ensure professional management, transparent processes and sustainable development in the organisation.
'For example, we issue quarterly progress reports to donors over the Internet to let them know where every dollar goes.'
Mr Li said traditional models of charity involve either an altruistic desire to better humankind, or using wealth and power to change the world.
Sidebar
Social entrepreneurship
Jet Li believes it is important in the 21st century to have social entrepreneurship.
'If you want to be a philanthropic leader, you must be a volunteer. But volunteers have limited time and resources.
'People say you can't make money doing philanthropy, but with social entrepreneurship you can. Social entrepreneurship (can help groom) the next generation (of leaders).'
In a parting plea, Mr Li said: 'One dollar is not little; $1 million is not a lot. What's most important is that we are willing to give.'
July 30, 2009
Jet Li: Modern monk can run my charity
By Michelle Tay
Jet Li's (left) charity, headquartered in China, is based on the notion that if each person donates at least one dollar or yuan each month, the individual donations can be transformed into a much greater fund. --PHOTO: UBS
TWO years ago, Chinese movie star and philanthropist Jet Li set up the One Foundation because he was pondering the meaning of life.
His charity, headquartered in China, is based on the notion that if each person donates at least one dollar or yuan each month, the individual donations can be transformed into a much greater fund.
It aims to address issues related to disaster relief, health and education.
Today, more than one million volunteers have pledged their commitment to his cause by registering on the One Foundation website (www.onefoundation.cn), said Mr Li.
But his main concern now is to ensure the charity is as professionally managed as a corporation.
Speaking in Mandarin at the UBS 'thought leadership' seminar Building Leadership in Philanthropy in Asia on Thursday, Mr Li said: 'Perhaps the One Foundation is not that large now, but I hope that as long as there are human beings with heart, we can develop the foundation sustainably.'
This involves solving problems that plague non-governmental organisations in China, which include the lack of credibility, transparency, a long-term vision and too much hassle involved in making a donation.
The foundation has spent two million yuan on building public credibility. This involved engaging major accounting firm Deloitte as its global auditor and enabling donations to be made via mobile phones.
Said Mr Li: 'I use the same methods that any corporate entity uses to ensure professional management, transparent processes and sustainable development in the organisation.
'For example, we issue quarterly progress reports to donors over the Internet to let them know where every dollar goes.'
Mr Li said traditional models of charity involve either an altruistic desire to better humankind, or using wealth and power to change the world.
Sidebar
Social entrepreneurship
Jet Li believes it is important in the 21st century to have social entrepreneurship.
'If you want to be a philanthropic leader, you must be a volunteer. But volunteers have limited time and resources.
'People say you can't make money doing philanthropy, but with social entrepreneurship you can. Social entrepreneurship (can help groom) the next generation (of leaders).'
In a parting plea, Mr Li said: 'One dollar is not little; $1 million is not a lot. What's most important is that we are willing to give.'
