Over 100 philanthropic leaders, funders, and sector practitioners gathered at Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur to shape a more collaborative, accountable, and impact-driven philanthropic sector in Malaysia.
The Malaysia Philanthropy Conference 2026 (MPC 2026), themed “Catalysing Collaborative Impact: Transforming Giving for National Development,” concluded today at the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur, bringing together more than 100 leaders from across Malaysia’s philanthropic ecosystem for a landmark day of dialogue, knowledgesharing, and sector-building.
Jointly organised by Yayasan MySDG, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, and OSK Foundation and held in collaboration with the Malaysian Philanthropic Network (MPN), the inaugural conference marked a significant step forward in convening the country’s philanthropic community around shared goals and collective responsibility. This event was also supported by Kuok Brothers and Yayasan Axiata.
A Critical Moment for Philanthropy
The conference opened against a backdrop of growing urgency. As Malaysia prepares for the 13th Malaysia Plan and approaches the final stretch toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the philanthropic sector faces increasing pressure to do more — and do it better. Globally, the UN estimates the financing gap to achieve the SDGs has widened to between USD 2.5 trillion and USD 4 trillion annually, while international development assistance continues to tighten.
In his Special Remarks delivered via video from Oxford, the United Kingdom Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Chairman of Yayasan MySDG, highlighted that while approximately 58 per cent of Malaysia’s SDG targets are on track, significant gaps remain. More than 1.2 million Malaysians still live below the poverty line income of RM2,705 per month, with many facing overlapping challenges in income security, education, healthcare, and housing.
A Full Day of Substantive Dialogue
The keynote address was delivered by HRH Tengku Datin Paduka Setia Zatashah binti Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, founder and advocate of the #sayno2plastic, #NoMoreLitter, #BecauseWeCare, and #zerofoodwastage campaigns, and Board of Trustee of the Selangor Youth Community (SAY). Her address set the tone for the day, exploring philanthropy’s evolving role in Malaysia’s national development.
Five substantive sessions followed, featuring speakers and thought leaders from major foundations, corporate organisations, financial institutions, academia, social enterprises, and international development networks. These included representatives from Bridgespan, YTL Foundation, Ernst & Young Malaysia, PNB Research Institute, Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN), Alliance Islamic Bank, Johor Corporation, Global Peace Foundation Malaysia, World Vision Malaysia, Wiki Impact, Kedah State Zakat Board and many others. Topics covered ranged from reimagining giving in a changing world — including the role of digital tools, AI, and blockchain in strengthening transparency — to cross-sector partnership models, governance and accountability, scalable financing beyond traditional grants, impact measurement frameworks, and the power of authentic philanthropic storytelling.
A special session on scalable and self-sustaining financing examined how philanthropic capital can move beyond grant-making to catalyse blended finance, impact investing, and Islamic social finance instruments such as zakat, waqf, and sadaqah — creating sustainable financing mechanisms that strengthen the financial resilience of social programmes and support locally driven, community-based development initiatives.
“KSI has long believed that real change begins with the right conversations in the right room. The Malaysia Philanthropy Conference is our commitment to giving the philanthropic sector that room — a dedicated space to be honest about where the gaps are, and purposeful about how to close them together,” said Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, President of KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific.
A Sector Committed to Working Together
Central to the day’s discussions was the growing recognition that stronger collaboration across Malaysia’s philanthropic ecosystem is essential to achieving greater impact. The conference brought together corporate, family, community, and independent foundations, alongside other funding partners and ecosystem stakeholders, creating a shared space to exchange perspectives and explore opportunities for collective action.
The conference reinforced a common understanding among participants: that sustainable impact cannot be achieved by any single organisation acting alone. Across every session, speakers returned to the same themes — the need for longer-term funding cycles, clearer governance standards, shared measurement approaches, and a greater willingness to pool resources, align efforts, and coordinate rather than duplicate initiatives.
“The foundation of meaningful philanthropy is collaboration. Today’s conference demonstrates the growing commitment among Malaysia’s philanthropic and funding community to work together in addressing our most pressing challenges. Poverty, inequality, climate action, and the SDG financing gap are issues that no single organisation can solve alone. What gives me hope is the shared recognition that collective action is not just desirable, but necessary. The real work now is to turn the connections and conversations from today into partnerships that deliver lasting impact,” said Ms. Anita Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan MySDG Foundation
Looking Ahead
MPC 2026 closes not with a conclusion, but with a charge. The conversations begun today — on governance, innovation, evidence, and storytelling — are meant to continue. The organisers and MPN member foundations are committed to translating today’s dialogue into concrete action: stronger partnerships, more disciplined impact measurement, and a philanthropic sector that earns and sustains the public trust placed in it.
“Philanthropy in Malaysia has always had heart. What it needs now is structure, collaboration, and a willingness to be held accountable to real outcomes. That’s what we set out to build with this conference — not just a good day of conversations, but a platform for the sector to keep raising its standards together. OSK Foundation is proud to have been part of bringing it to life,” said Cheryl Ong, Chief Executive Officer of OSK Foundation.
As Malaysia navigates a decisive period in its development journey, today’s gathering affirmed that a more connected, more accountable, and more collaborative philanthropic community is not just possible — it is already taking shape.