Life Today PH

MANILA — The Philippines has maintained its “Doing Better” status for the fifth consecutive edition of the Doing Good Index (DGI) 2026, ranking highest among Southeast Asian nations after Singapore in enabling environment for philanthropy.

The assessment by the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) places the Philippines among only five Asian economies in the “Doing Better” tier, alongside Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea. Singapore remains the lone economy categorized as “Doing Excellent.”

Complementing the DGI findings, the World Giving Report (WGR) – Donor Insights 2026 by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) showed that 78% of Filipinos donated in 2025, surpassing both the global average of 61% and the Asian average of 68%.

The local results for both reports were released on July 30 in partnership with the Association of Foundations (AF).

Corporate and Individual Giving

CAPS Director of Policy Engagement Kithmina Hewage pointed to corporate engagement as a major driver for local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The DGI noted that 79% of Philippine NGOs receive corporate funding, with corporate contributions comprising 34% of an organization’s average budget—substantially higher than the regional average of 19%.

Individual giving also showed consistent strength, driven largely by faith-based contributions. The WGR reported that 45% of Filipinos donated to religious organizations in 2025.

Funding Disparities and Sector Challenges

Despite widespread public generosity, direct financial support for social development organizations faces structural hurdles. Only 34% of Filipinos donated money directly to NGOs in 2025, and 80% of surveyed local NGOs indicated that domestic funding requires further strengthening.

Hewage explained that while funding remains steady, operational costs and the demand for civil society services have escalated at a faster pace, creating a financial deficit for many organizations.

To bridge this gap, AF Communications Officer Milet Aquino urged non-profits to streamline their engagement processes, noting that the public’s willingness to help must be matched by accessible avenues for donating, volunteering, and advocacy.

Trust and community connection

The reports underscored public trust and strong local connections as vital foundations for Philippine civil society.

CAF Head of Research Alex Plumb highlighted that roughly 90% of Philippine respondents reported a strong sense of community belonging—one of the highest rates globally.

According to CAF data, individuals who observe the positive, tangible impact of NGOs within their local communities are twice as likely to donate.