Empowering a New Generation of Changemakers
Imagine a world where the spirit of giving and social innovation is not bound by age or wealth. This is the world PIM envisioned and set out to create. The idea first took root in China, amidst a backdrop where the voices of the young and aspiring are often overshadowed by traditional hierarchies of power and influence. It was here that the two founders began with a daring question: “Why wait to make a difference?” From this bold inquiry, PIM sprouted, driven by the conviction that every young individual, regardless of financial background, possesses the power to create a ripple of social impact.
The seeds of PIM were sown by two friends who met at Yale: Jasmine Lau and Connie Leong, whose individual journeys of giving and compassion converged to create something larger. Growing up in Hong Kong, Jasmine’s social impact journey began in high school when she worked with a group of friends to found Ember, an organization to support the education of girls in rural China. A Chinese-American who grew up in New York, Connie took the initiative to start her high school’s first Habitat for Humanity chapter in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Their paths crossed at Yale, where a course on venture philanthropy opened a new realm of possibilities. Philanthropy wasn’t just about giving; it was about making a lasting impact. This revelation was the seed from which Philanthropy in Motion (PIM) would sprout.
PIM was born from a dream to transform the landscape of philanthropy. Connie and Jasmine recognized a gap – young people in Asia were eager to contribute to social causes but lacked the avenues to do so. They asked, “Why wait to make a difference?” Thus, PIM began its mission with a rallying cry: “Give early, give smart.”
The heart of PIM’s inception story is a tale of unexpected success and the power of collective action. A crowdfunding campaign, aimed at pooling resources for social impact, captured the imagination of young donors across the globe. In no time, $20,000 was raised, a testament to the shared belief in youth-driven change.
But PIM’s story is more than just about funds; it’s about education, empowerment, and transformation. Drawing inspiration from American philanthropic education, PIM adapted these models for an Asian context. In collaboration with prestigious universities, PIM crafted a unique RAISE framework, guiding young minds to analyze, support, and elevate organizations effectively.
China’s social sector, nascent yet growing, became PIM’s playground and classroom. Here, young philanthropists learned the art of strategic giving, ensuring their impact was both meaningful and lasting.
The pinnacle of PIM’s educational journey is the Model Foundation program. Imagine a diverse group of bright, young minds from different backgrounds, converging to address an important social issue in China — ranging from early childhood education to food sustainability. Their mission? To strategize the allocation of PIM’s funds, ensuring that the funds could support innovative and sustainable ideas addressing the issue in China. This program isn’t just about allocation; it’s a celebration of ideas, debates, and the collective pursuit of a better world.
As PIM looks to the future, it envisions a world where social impact education is within every young person’s reach. By embracing technology, PIM aims to make the journey into social impact and innovation accessible to all, regardless of location or background. Over the past 10 years, PIM’s experiential programs and offerings have expanded to touch young people in over 130 countries, providing funds not just for supporting local initiatives but also for changemakers who want to create new startups and social enterprises.
This is the essence of Philanthropy in Motion, now Purpose in Motion – a story of humble beginnings, growing into a global movement, proving that every young individual has the power to be a changemaker.
