China Program

China Program

Research

New models of philanthropy and social impact are emerging in the 21st century. We see increased blurring of the boundaries between private, government, and nonprofit sectors, and the rapid advance of digital technologies that have transformed society. These changes call for the development and dissemination of new knowledge, updating the training of a new generation of leaders, and new approaches to social problem solving. Stanford PACS is unique because of our focus on research that enables deeper understanding of organizations, systems, networks, policies, and behaviors that influence the practice of philanthropy and social innovation.

 

CURRENT RESEARCH RELEVANT TO CHINA

 

CIVIC LIFE OF CITIES LAB

The Civic Life of Cities Lab (CLCL)  explores how nonprofits contribute to their local communities. Our cross-city comparison study provides evidence-based insights that advance the understanding of nonprofits’ contributions to civic capacity and the local experiences of global trends that influence the nonprofit sector. Learn more about our research on the nonprofit sector in Shenzhen and how it compares to other global cities.

 

EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY LEARNING INITIATIVE

The Effective Philanthropy Learning Initiative (EPLI) conducts applied research to refine philanthropic practice, particularly that of donors giving at significant and sustained levels, toward greater social impact. Learn more about how the interdisciplinary team at EPLI works with intermediaries providing donor education and advisory services and collaborates with institutions advancing the field of effective philanthropy.

 

GLOBAL INNOVATION FOR IMPACT LAB

The Global Innovation for Impact Lab develops insights that help organizations make better strategic and operational decisions about innovation, scaling, and system change. Learn more about how framing system change as a complex innovation process enables us to develop new insights collaboratively with organizations and initiatives. 

 

RECORDING CIVIC ACTION IN CHINA

Recording Civic Action in China is a digital collection of archived websites and social media of selected Chinese grassroots non-government organizations. Take a tour of the archive here.