“Supporting students who come from China is part of that bigger picture that we see.”
BACKGROUND
Originally from Nanchang, China, and now a U.S. citizen, Duan Yongping has lived in California since 2002. In 2010, he purchased the Palo Alto home of CISCO CEO John Chambers and made headlines. Not surprisingly, he has made generous donations to nearby Stanford University. Notably, the funds were to support graduate students from China attending the School of Engineering.
Prior to coming to the United States, Duan Yongping was well-known for turning around Subor Electronics Industry from a small company with 20 workers and extensive debt to a pro table company producing computers and video-game components. He also realized success in producing DVD players using a company he founded, BBK Electronics Industrial Group in Guangdong Province, China. His entrepreneurial spirit is regarded as an inspiration and a model among those in business. Mr. Duan has been nicknamed the “Chinese Buffett” (as in Warren Buffett) due to his success in the stock market. He also won a bidding contest to have lunch with Warren Buffett for more than USD 600,000 (RMB 3.6 million) in 2006. He was the first Chinese entrepreneur to do so.
Duan Yongping and his wife, Liu Xin, conduct their giving through the U S -based Enlight Foundation and the Beijing-based Xinping Foundation. In 2010, Mr. and Mrs. Duan, donated an impressive USD 30 million (RMB 180 million) to their alma mater, Renmin University, in China. The gift was to support a matching gift fund, an innovative funding-raising method relatively new to China. Additionally, funds went to support student loans, a new library, and a journalism program. Four years earlier, Mr. Duan also donated USD 37 million (RMB 225 million) to Zhejiang University, also his alma mater, where he studied electrical engineering. The gift at that time was considered the biggest gift to higher education in mainland China. Mrs. Liu Xin has also directed USD 1.9 million (RMB 11.6 million) to the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, where she attended graduate school. Funds were purposed to support graduate students of Chinese origin, to support a faculty travel exchange program with Chinese universities, and to enhance technology infrastructure.
MOTIVATION
One of the strongest factors motivating the giving of Mr. and Mrs. Duan is giving back to the institutions that nurtured and supported them. The couple has made significant donations to colleges and universities they attended: Renmin University, Zhejiang University, and Ohio University. Reflecting on the gift to Ohio University, Mrs. Liu said she felt a need to give back to the students of Ohio University after she was awarded a full scholarship to complete her master’s program there, which she was able to do in one year. “I'm trying to help students make ends meet to give them more time to focus on their studies, socialize with their American friends, and learn more about the culture,” she said after she and Duan made the first gift in 2007. Also, their giving is motivated in part to build better global relations. Mrs. Liu said the gift was also prompted by a desire to bring more students from China to help produce more globally minded social entrepreneurs. “Supporting students who come from China is part of that bigger picture that we see,” said Mrs. Liu.
IMPACT
The impact of Duan Yongping and Liu Xin’s giving can be felt not only in terms of bene ting the lives of students but also in changing the way philanthropy is done in China. Mr. Duan is credited for bringing to China the “matching fund ” In recent years in China, the matching fund has been recognized and followed by many other entrepreneurs. In 2011, the couple contributed USD 30 million (RMB 180 million) to Renmin University of China. Half of the contribution, USD 15 million (RMB 90 million), was to match others’ donations. If an individual or an entity donated a sum of money to the university, the matching fund contributed an equal or similar amount.
Staff and administrators at universities benefiting from Mr. and Mrs. Duan’s giving testified to the impact the funding would have on students and their organizations. “Xin and Ping’s generosity will create transformational opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff in the Scripps College,” said Ohio University President Roderick J. McDavis. “We thank them for this visionary gift that continues to strengthen our international partnerships and lift up our Scripps College and Ohio University.” Mrs. Liu believes the faculty exchange program will help students and programs at both Ohio University and universities in China.
The Ohio University’s College of Communications benefited specifically from gifts to enhance technology tools. Mrs. Liu intended that funds for technology would have a significant impact on students. “Technology is changing so dramatically and forcing trends in the industry,” Liu said. “I know VisCom and the college are always advanced in the field technology-wise, and we wanted to support that so that when students go into the field, they are equipped with the most advanced technology of the moment and can learn the job from there. It’s never-ending change, and it’s every day. That’s the life we’re facing, and the innovation is exciting.”
Expressing appreciation, Dean Gregory Shepherd said in a university publication, “I am very grateful to Xin and Ping for their generous support and how it will bolster our particular desire to build a strong presence and partnerships in China... They are very special people, forward-thinking and caring. I should also note that a significant portion of this gift will go toward funding technology purchases in our School of Visual Communications, helping to ensure that students in Xin’s former program continue to receive the world’s best education in visual communication.”
ADVICE
Duan Yongping is aware of the need for a strong ecosystem that supports philanthropy. A philanthropic environment that is not fully developed makes it challenging to utilize funds for their intended cause. Mr. Duan is hesitant to contribute money to other public charities but seeks to build and maintain trust with organizations to effectively use funds.