New LEAP Fellowship targets leadership gap in Asia’s growing philanthropy sector

The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) has launched the Leadership Excellence in Asian Philanthropy (LEAP) Fellowship, a new program aimed at strengthening leadership capacity across Asia’s rapidly expanding philanthropic sector.

The fellowship was created in response to a growing gap between the scale of philanthropic resources in Asia and the expertise needed to deploy them effectively.

Analysis by The Bridgespan Group shows that while Asia’s philanthropic organizations now manage tens of billions of dollars, there remains a shortage of leaders trained in impact measurement, adaptive leadership, and cross-sector collaboration grounded in regional realities.

Designed specifically for Asia, LEAP offers a practitioner-led curriculum focused on strategy, impact, and policy, with case studies and frameworks tailored to the region’s cultural, economic, and social contexts.

“Asia’s philanthropic sector stands at a pivotal moment,” said Lester Huang, chairman of the IoP. “The LEAP Fellowship was created to equip leaders with the skills, networks, and tools to drive systemic change and shape the future of philanthropy in Asia.”

The program brings together faculty from The University of Hong Kong, the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the London School of Economics and Political Science, combining academic rigor with practice-based learning and peer collaboration.

The fellowship was officially introduced at a global livestreamed launch attended by leading Asian foundations, charities, and international social impact organizations. Panellists emphasized the importance of investing in leadership development as philanthropy in the region continues to grow in scale and complexity.

LEAP is the only fellowship in Asia to unite three world-renowned institutions under a single, regionally grounded curriculum. Fellows will apply their learning to real-world challenges within their own organizations, supported by faculty guidance and a trusted community of practice.