Lee Foundation
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Lee Foundation is a charitable foundation in Singapore created to aid "the advancement of education, medicine and cultural activities; helping the poor; and assisting victims of fire, flood and famine", It also funded other philanthropic work. It was founded in 1952 by philanthropist and businessman, Lee Kong Chian.
In 1957, Lee Seng Gee took over as chairman of the foundation, from his father.[1]
Since its creation till 2009, the Foundation donated S$400 million to various causes, regardless of race, language, religion, nationality, and geographical location. Seventy-five percent of that amount went to education. Notable contributions included a $60 million donation towards the building of the new National Library in 2003, a $50 million donation to the Singapore Management University in 2004, and a $30 million gift to the National University of Singapore in 2005.
In 2002, the Foundation and the Old Rafflesians' Association launched and funded the Lee Tzu Pheng Poetry Award. The bi-annual award is awarded to aspiring young poets in secondary schools and junior colleges.[2]
On 5 January 2011 the foundation donated S$150 million to the Nanyang Technological University medical school, which will be named the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in honor of the founder of the Lee Foundation.[3] This is the largest donation to an education institution in Singapore to date.
The Foundation was also credited with giving the largest-ever donation from an Asia-based philanthropic foundation towards students of rice science when it gave US$3 million to the International Rice Research Institute in 2013 to establish the Lee Foundation Rice Scholarship Program.[4] The program is dedicated to educating and training a new generation of rice scientists to ensure a new generation of high quality rice scientists who can contribute to improving Asia's food security.
The generosity of the foundation has earned them many accolades such as the Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award by the National Arts Council for several years, and the National Volunteerism and Philanthropy Award Special Recognition Award in 2004.
References
- ^ "Lee Seng Gee". National Library, Singapore. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
- ^ "Lee Tzu Pheng". National Library, Singapore. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
- ^ "Nanyang Technological University". Nanyang Technological University. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
- ^ IRRI media release (10 Jun 2013): Largest philanthropic investment into budding rice scientists.
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