Li Ka Shing Foundation is a Hong Kong-based philanthropic foundation supporting education, healthcare, medical research, community services, and anti-poverty initiatives.
The foundation supports education and healthcare initiatives that improve society, expand opportunity, advance medical services and research, and create long-term social value.
Li Ka Shing Foundation was founded in 1980 by Mr. Li Ka-shing, who has described the foundation as his “third son.” Its work reflects his long-term commitment to education, medical care, and social welfare, shaped partly by early experiences of hardship, interrupted schooling, and family illness. In 1981, Mr. Li founded Shantou University, described by the foundation as its cornerstone project and the only privately funded public institution in China. Since 1980, Mr. Li Ka-shing has invested more than HK$30 billion in education, medical services, charity, and anti-poverty programmes.
The foundation prioritizes healthcare and education projects aligned with its philanthropic mission. It favours projects designed to create long-term social value, support transformative change, attract government policy support or matching funds, and demonstrate effective use of resources. It also considers projects related to disaster or emergency relief, beneficiary-organization capacity building, and new social models. Applicants may submit a short letter or email summarizing the organization, goals, requested amount, and intended use; if interested, the foundation follows up for further information.
Li Ka Shing Foundation reports more than HK$30 billion in cumulative giving across education, medical services, charity, and anti-poverty programmes. Its education work includes long-term support for Shantou University and other higher education initiatives. In healthcare, the foundation supports medical research, patient services, hospice care, and innovative treatment technologies. Its community initiatives include emergency relief, direct support programmes, and locally driven social projects in Hong Kong and beyond.
Named institutions and partners appearing in the permitted source material include Shantou University, University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, University of Manitoba, University of Cambridge, Stanford University, TT Foundation Advisors, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, St. James’ Settlement, and the China Disabled Persons’ Federation.
The foundation presents its philanthropy as focused on social impact, with education and healthcare as long-standing priorities since 1980. Its stated aims include encouraging a new culture of giving in Asia, supporting education reform, and advancing medical research and services. Recent listed activities include emergency relief for fire-affected communities in Hong Kong, cancer patient subsidies, support for home haemodialysis, donation of medical ventilators, and donation of Histotripsy systems to medical institutions in Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The foundation’s public application guidance asks applicants to submit a concise organizational and funding summary by letter or email.