Request for Applications: HKEX Charity Partnership Programme (Hong Kong)

Deadline: 24-Jul-2026

The HKEX Foundation invites eligible local charitable institutions in Hong Kong to apply for funding under the HKEX Charity Partnership Programme. The programme supports impactful community projects that create long-term structural and systemic changes across financial literacy, social empowerment, talent development and environmental sustainability.

Eligible charitable institutions can apply for project funding ranging from HKD 500,000 to HKD 5,000,000 per project. Applicants must be local charitable institutions registered under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance for at least three years on or before 24 July 2023.

What is the HKEX Charity Partnership Programme?

The HKEX Charity Partnership Programme is a community funding initiative established in 2020 by the HKEX Foundation.

The programme supports impactful projects delivered by local charitable institutions in Hong Kong.

It aims to address social and environmental challenges while helping people in need through projects that create lasting structural and systemic change.

Main Purpose of the Programme

The main purpose of the programme is to support community projects that create long-term positive impact in Hong Kong.

The programme aims to:

• Address social challenges
• Address environmental challenges
• Support people in need
• Promote financial literacy
• Strengthen social empowerment
• Develop future-ready talent
• Advance environmental sustainability
• Support structural and systemic change
• Encourage impactful community development

Geographic Focus

The programme focuses on Hong Kong.

Eligible projects should benefit communities, people in need or environmental priorities within Hong Kong.

Funding Amount

Eligible charitable institutions can apply for funding ranging from:

• Minimum grant amount: HKD 500,000 per project
• Maximum grant amount: HKD 5,000,000 per project

Applicants should prepare a strong project budget that clearly connects funding needs with long-term community impact.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be local charitable institutions in Hong Kong.

Applicants must:

• Be registered under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance
• Have been registered for at least three years on or before 24 July 2023
• Propose an impactful community project
• Align with one or more programme focus areas
• Demonstrate potential for structural or systemic change

Partnership with HKCSS

The HKEX Charity Partnership Programme is currently in partnership with The Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

This partnership supports initiatives that contribute to community development and address social and environmental challenges in Hong Kong.

Key Focus Areas

The programme supports four major focus areas.

These are:

• Financial Literacy
• Social Empowerment
• Talent Development
• Environmental Sustainability

Projects should clearly align with at least one of these areas.

Focus Area 1: Financial Literacy

The Financial Literacy theme supports projects that improve financial knowledge, confidence and decision-making.

Priority themes include:

• Digital Financial Literacy in the Fintech Era
• Financial Planning
• Scam Prevention
• Other initiatives that enhance financial literacy

Projects may help people better understand digital finance, manage money responsibly, avoid scams and make informed financial decisions.

Focus Area 2: Social Empowerment

The Social Empowerment theme supports projects that strengthen inclusion, resilience and support for people in need.

Priority themes include:

• Caregiver Support
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Poverty Alleviation
• Other projects that strengthen social empowerment

Projects should help reduce barriers, support vulnerable groups and improve social participation.

Focus Area 3: Talent Development

The Talent Development theme supports projects that help people prepare for future economic and technological changes.

Priority themes include:

• Future readiness for economic shifts
• Future readiness for technological shifts
• Upskilling under-represented groups
• Other initiatives that enhance talent development

Projects may focus on skills, learning, employment readiness, technology adaptation and access to future opportunities.

Focus Area 4: Environmental Sustainability

The Environmental Sustainability theme supports projects that protect the environment and promote sustainable practices.

Priority themes include:

• Decarbonisation
• Circular Economy
• Nature and Biodiversity
• Other projects that promote environmental sustainability

Projects may address climate action, waste reduction, biodiversity protection, sustainable resource use and nature-based community engagement.

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

The programme supports impactful community projects that address key social and environmental challenges.

Supported projects may include:

• Financial education programmes
• Digital finance awareness initiatives
• Scam prevention campaigns
• Caregiver support services
• Inclusion and diversity projects
• Poverty alleviation initiatives
• Skills development programmes
• Upskilling initiatives for under-represented groups
• Environmental sustainability projects
• Decarbonisation activities
• Circular economy initiatives
• Biodiversity and nature protection projects

Structural and Systemic Change

The programme prioritises projects that go beyond short-term service delivery.

Structural and systemic change means creating deeper improvements in systems, behaviours, access, knowledge, services or community conditions.

Projects with structural or systemic impact may:

• Improve long-term access to services
• Change how communities respond to social needs
• Build sustainable support models
• Strengthen institutional capacity
• Improve public knowledge or behaviour
• Reduce recurring barriers
• Create scalable or replicable solutions
• Address root causes of social or environmental problems

Key Concepts Explained

Financial Literacy

Financial literacy means the ability to understand and use financial knowledge to make informed decisions about money, savings, planning, digital finance and fraud prevention.

Social Empowerment

Social empowerment means helping individuals and communities gain access, confidence, resources and support to participate more fully in society.

Talent Development

Talent development refers to building skills, knowledge and readiness for employment, technology, economic change and future opportunities.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability means protecting natural resources, reducing environmental harm and supporting long-term ecological wellbeing.

Circular Economy

A circular economy focuses on reducing waste, reusing materials, recycling resources and designing systems that keep products and materials in use for longer.

Decarbonisation

Decarbonisation means reducing carbon emissions through cleaner systems, lower energy use, sustainable practices and climate-focused action.

How the Programme Works

Eligible charitable institutions submit project proposals aligned with one or more of the four focus areas.

Applications should show how the proposed project will address a social or environmental challenge in Hong Kong.

Projects should demonstrate clear community benefit, measurable outcomes and potential for long-term structural or systemic change.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a detailed project proposal that demonstrates eligibility, focus area alignment and expected impact.

Suggested Application Steps

1. Confirm that the applicant is a local charitable institution in Hong Kong.
2. Confirm Section 88 registration under the Inland Revenue Ordinance.
3. Check that the institution has been registered for at least three years on or before 24 July 2023.
4. Select the most relevant focus area: Financial Literacy, Social Empowerment, Talent Development or Environmental Sustainability.
5. Identify the social or environmental challenge the project will address.
6. Design a project that creates structural or systemic change.
7. Prepare a budget between HKD 500,000 and HKD 5,000,000.
8. Define target beneficiaries and expected outcomes.
9. Explain how the project will serve people in need or address community challenges.
10. Highlight partnerships, implementation capacity and sustainability.
11. Submit the application according to programme requirements.

Assessment Considerations

Applications may be assessed based on eligibility, relevance, impact and feasibility.

Review may consider:

• Section 88 charitable institution status
• Length of registration
• Alignment with programme focus areas
• Strength of community need
• Potential for structural and systemic change
• Benefit to people in need
• Project feasibility
• Budget clarity
• Organizational capacity
• Measurable outcomes
• Long-term sustainability
• Contribution to Hong Kong community development

Expected Results

Funded projects should create measurable and lasting benefits for communities in Hong Kong.

Expected results may include:

• Improved financial literacy
• Better scam prevention awareness
• Stronger caregiver support
• Greater diversity and inclusion
• Reduced poverty-related barriers
• Improved future readiness
• Increased skills among under-represented groups
• Stronger environmental awareness
• Reduced carbon impact
• Improved circular economy practices
• Better protection of nature and biodiversity
• Stronger community resilience

Why It Matters

Hong Kong faces complex social, economic and environmental challenges that require long-term solutions.

The HKEX Charity Partnership Programme helps charitable institutions develop projects that address root causes rather than only short-term needs.

By supporting financial literacy, social empowerment, talent development and environmental sustainability, the programme helps build stronger, more inclusive and more sustainable communities.

Tips for Strong Applications

A strong application should clearly show how the project creates long-term community impact.

Applicants should focus on:

• Clear alignment with one of the four focus areas
• Strong explanation of community need
• Evidence of structural or systemic change
• Clear target beneficiaries
• Realistic project design
• Strong implementation capacity
• Measurable outcomes
• Sustainable impact
• Clear budget between HKD 500,000 and HKD 5,000,000
• Strong relevance to Hong Kong communities

Applicants should avoid presenting the project as a short-term activity without explaining its wider or lasting impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should carefully check eligibility and programme alignment before applying.

Common mistakes include:

• Applying without Section 88 charitable status
• Not meeting the three-year registration requirement
• Submitting a project outside the four focus areas
• Providing weak evidence of community need
• Not explaining structural or systemic change
• Requesting funding below or above the eligible range
• Providing an unclear project budget
• Failing to identify measurable outcomes
• Not explaining how people in need will benefit
• Submitting a project with limited long-term impact

FAQ

What is the HKEX Charity Partnership Programme?

It is a funding programme by the HKEX Foundation that supports impactful community projects run by local charitable institutions in Hong Kong.

How much funding is available per project?

Eligible institutions can apply for project funding ranging from HKD 500,000 to HKD 5,000,000.

Who can apply?

Local charitable institutions registered under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance for at least three years on or before 24 July 2023 can apply.

What are the four focus areas?

The four focus areas are Financial Literacy, Social Empowerment, Talent Development and Environmental Sustainability.

What does the Financial Literacy theme support?

It supports digital financial literacy, financial planning, scam prevention and other initiatives that improve financial knowledge and decision-making.

What does the Environmental Sustainability theme support?

It supports decarbonisation, circular economy, nature and biodiversity, and other projects that promote environmental sustainability.

Is the programme connected with HKCSS?

Yes. The HKEX Charity Partnership Programme is currently in partnership with The Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

Conclusion

The HKEX Charity Partnership Programme supports local charitable institutions in Hong Kong to deliver high-impact projects that address social and environmental challenges. With funding from HKD 500,000 to HKD 5,000,000 per project, the programme enables organisations to create long-term structural and systemic change across financial literacy, social empowerment, talent development and environmental sustainability.

Strong applications will demonstrate clear eligibility, strong community need, alignment with one of the four focus areas, measurable outcomes, realistic budgeting and a strong plan for lasting impact in Hong Kong.

For more information, visit HKEX Foundation.