Institute of Philanthropy launches LEAP fellowship with J-PAL, LSE and HKU to strengthen philanthropy leadership across Asia
HONG KONG – 25 JANUARY 2026
The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), established by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, has launched Leadership Excellence in Asian Philanthropy (LEAP), an executive education fellowship designed to empower Asia’s next generation of philanthropic leaders.
Developed in collaboration with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), LEAP is the only fellowship in Asia to unite three world-renowned institutions and with a curriculum rooted in regional realities.
Designed to bridge the leadership gap in Asia’s rapidly growing social investment sector, the programme aims to equip the next generation of philanthropic leaders with the tools to navigate Asia’s complex social landscapes and drive systemic, evidence-based change.
Cultivating visionary leadership for Asia
As Asia emerges as a global hub for wealth creation, the region faces a critical need for professionalised philanthropic expertise.
Research by The Bridgespan Group has highlighted specific gaps in impact measurement, adaptive leadership and cross-sector collaboration – areas that LEAP is specifically designed to address.
The fellowship follows a cohort-driven model, bringing together emerging senior leaders to build adaptive strategies and design interventions with rigorous metrics.
Lester Huang, chairman of the IoP, said: "Asia's philanthropic sector stands at a pivotal moment. The LEAP fellowship was created to meet the need for visionary leadership and regionally grounded collaboration, equipping leaders with the skills and networks to shape the future of philanthropy across the continent."
A multi-disciplinary approach to impact
The LEAP curriculum is delivered across three intensive modules, combining academic excellence with practical application:
- Module 1 (HKU): Focuses on philanthropic leadership and strategic management within Asia’s unique cultural and geopolitical context.
- Module 2 (J-PAL): Strengthens participants’ ability to measure what matters, using scientific evidence to inform policy and scale social programmes.
- Module 3 (LSE): Explores multi-sector collaboration and how to achieve ecosystem-level change through partnerships with governments and business.
Fellows tackle their own 'LEAP challenge' – a pressing issue in their organisation – applying theory to practice with guidance from faculty and peers.
A global network of expertise
Beyond classroom instruction, the programme features a philanthropist-in-residence and one-on-one virtual office hours with global philanthropic advisors.
Participants who complete the programme will be formally recognised as LEAP fellows, joining an elite regional alumni network dedicated to social innovation.
Iqbal Dhaliwal, global executive director of JPAL and scientific director of J-PAL South Asia, said: “If philanthropy is to rise to the scale of today’s social challenges, it is critical that we empower emerging leaders, those already managing programmes, budgets and teams, with the tools to effectively leverage evidence in their decision-making.
"Through LEAP, J-PAL brings practical frameworks and Asia-focused case studies that equip these leaders to measure and amplify their impact using rigorous data.
"This is how we will build the resilience and innovation capacity the sector will need in the next decade.”
Applications and eligibility
Applications for the inaugural cohort are now open and will close on 15 February 2026.
The programme is tailored for experienced professionals with at least 10 years of experience in the philanthropic or social impact sectors.
The first module is scheduled to commence in Hong Kong in April 2026.
Interested candidates can apply via the official LEAP portal.
