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Recognizing the critical role of government funding for many NPOs, this year¡¯s program introduces a new focus on government relations. With Matthew Cheung Kin-chung GBM GBS JP, former Chief Secretary for Administration, joining as a mentor, participants will benefit from his vast expertise in collaborating with government departments, navigating processes, and securing funding.

The number of tax-exempt charities in Hong Kong nearly doubled from 4,435 in 2006 to 8,923 in 2016¹ and has further surged to 17,341² by February 2025. This growing landscape urges nonprofit managers to distinguish their organizations amidst an expanding field of welfare providers.

Professor Chow Y.M. Amy, Professor, Head of Department / Si Yuan Professor in Health and Social Work at the University of Hong Kong, stated,¡± With the non-profit sector becoming increasingly competitive and the number of NPOs rising rapidly, the need for effective leadership has never been more critical. Together with ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ, we strive to enhance NPO leaders' competence and capacity through a structured curriculum. Our ultimate goal is to nurture innovative and sustainable social projects and collaborations."

The HKU-ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ SSILP addresses the increasing demand in the nonprofit sector by equipping leaders with essential skills to foster resilience, adaptability, and growth. The program¡¯s impact is evident: over the past two years, it has successfully trained 62 participants from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, with applications for this year increasing by an impressive 42.5% compared to 2024.

Rob Stewart, Chief Communications Officer for ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ Asia Pacific, remarked, "The HKU-ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ SSILP was initiated out of a passion for making a positive impact in the non-profit sector and giving back to the community. This mentorship program not only enriches non-profits but also allows our staff to give back meaningfully, while fostering stronger ties with our community. We've recorded the highest number of applicants this year, up by 42.5% compared to 2024 and 19.6% compared to 2023."

A cornerstone of the program is its unique cross-functional approach, connecting NPO leaders with experienced professionals from ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ, academia, and other sectors. Through this mentorship scheme, participants gain guidance in areas such as strategy-making, resource management, cross-sector collaboration, evidence-based decision-making, and pitching skills. This initiative has proven transformative in cultivating future-ready NPO leaders.

The HKU-ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ SSILP strategically combines mentorship with funding opportunities. Two winners, following a day of pitching, will receive HKdollar400,000 in incubation funding to develop and implement their projects.

¹Hong Kong Audit Commission, Government¡¯s Support and Monitoring of Charities: Report No 68, 2017
²Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department, Tax-Exempt Charities Registry, accessed March 2025,