We believe that when our communities thrive, so do our businesses. We support the communities in which we operate directly through the community programmes of our businesses and through the Swire Group Charitable Trust (the Trust). The Trust focuses on education, marine conservation and the arts in Hong Kong.
At the end of 2018, the Trust had 18 programmes in operation. During 2018, the Trust distributed over HK$36 million. In total, including the programmes of our operating companies, we spent HK$81 million on community activities in 2018 (this includes the equivalent of HK$28 million of in-kind donations), and our volunteers contributed over 70,000 hours of voluntary service.
In 2017, Swire Pacific was awarded the 15+ Caring Company Award by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service for good corporate citizenship. Cathay Pacific, Cathay Pacific Catering Services, Swire Properties and Swire Coca-Cola also received recognition.
Swire Trust was established in 1983 as the philanthropic arm of Swire Pacific. It is overseen by a Philanthropy Council, which is chaired by a member of senior management. The Trust receives annual income from companies in the Swire group based on a percentage of Swire Pacific’s profit. The Trust is a Hong Kong charity exempt from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance.
Guided by the Swire family motto – Esse Quam Videri – the Trust is motivated by altruism and acts for the direct benefit of society and the greater good.
Partner Organisation: Music Children Foundation Limited (MCF)
Project outputs and outcomes: MCF introduces music to underprivileged students. The Trust has supported Drum Fun, a three-year outreach programme at Pak Tin Catholic Primary School intended to promote musical literacy and talent by means of free Chinese drum classes. More than 90 underprivileged children were invited to perform at concerts and competitions. MCF has observed that the students have better self-control and improved confidence.
A flourishing world of diversity, equal opportunity and sustainable growth
Value in Diversity: As a 200-year-old company, Swire’s diverse businesses are part of the long-term development of the communities and societies in which it operates. The Trust envisions a flourishing world of diversity where all members of society have opportunities for a meaningful life, and where growth and resources are sustained for future generations.
We aim to create positive change in Education, Marine and the Arts through supporting registered non-profit organisations primarily in Hong Kong and Mainland China.
Education
To enhance education equity, quality and innovation for disadvantaged children and youth
|
Education equity Provide access for the disadvantaged for more inclusive education |
Education quality Provide resources for educators and parents to improve learning environments |
Education innovation Support relevant, learner-focused and experiential learning programmes |
Marine
To help create sustainable marine ecosystems in Hong Kong and Mainland China through policy change, public engagement and scientific research
|
Policy change Progress appropriate industry and government policies and management for marine protection |
Public engagement Educate and engage the public on marine issues for wider support |
Scientific research Support marine science research to strengthen science-based information |
Arts
To promote an inclusive arts sector, and to use arts in addressing social issues
|
Arts education Provide arts education for the disadvantaged and disabled |
Arts accessibility Enable access for the disabled and disadvantaged to appreciate art |
Arts as a solution Address social issues through art therapy and activities |
The following grants were made or renewed during 2018:
Grants in 2018, broken down under the three focus areas of the Trust: Education, Marine, Arts
|
Project name
N/ASupport LEAP’s mission, development and activities in the prevention of substance abuse by providing health-based education programmes for primary and secondary students |
Grant Total
HK$5,500,000 |
|
Organisation
Life Education Activity Programme (LEAP) 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$5,500,000 |
|
Project name
DreamStarterPromote an experiential learning journey in fostering students’ ability to be creative for social good |
Grant Total
HK$2,700,000 |
|
Organisation
Grwth Foundation Limited 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$420,000 |
|
Project name
Brain BoxStrengthen the capacity of children with learning difficulties at an early stage through diversified service and enhanced parental support |
Grant Total
HK$3,680,000 |
|
Organisation
Changing Young Lives Foundation 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$1,150,000 |
|
Project name
Support Unit for Special Educational Needs (SuSEN)Provide comprehensive clinical support for students with special educational needs and their families and a training platform for student teachers |
Grant Total
HK$10,000,000 |
|
Organisation
The Education University of Hong Kong 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$1,500,000 |
|
Project name
N/AStrengthen the school's English and Mandarin language teaching and support special projects |
Grant Total
HK$2,000,000 annually |
|
Organisation
Taikoo Primary School 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$769,965 |
|
Project name
Seeds in Education FundFoster diverse views, approaches and solutions in education by seeding a wide variety of small-scale education initiatives |
Grant Total
HK$11,173,000* |
|
Organisation
Various NGOs |
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
- |
|
Project name
Swire Professorship in Aerospace EngineeringEstablish an endowed Swire Professorship in Aerospace Engineering and further the development of aerospace studies in Hong Kong |
Grant Total
HK$10,000,000* |
|
Organisation
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
- |
|
Project name
Village Model in Rural ChinaSupport early childhood development of left-behind children in rural areas of Mainland China through early learning centres, family skills training and community building |
Grant Total
HK$4,590,000* |
|
Organisation
Half the Sky Foundation (Asia) Limited 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
- |
|
Project name
Sea for Future Phase IIEngage local experts and communities to conserve and revitalise marine habitats |
Grant Total
HK$2,998,802 |
|
Organisation
WWF Hong Kong 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$1,629,000 |
|
Project name
Sea for FutureSafeguard Hong Kong’s marine life and restore fisheries by increasing marine protection areas to at least 10% of Hong Kong’s waters |
Grant Total
HK$7,846,203 |
|
Organisation
WWF Hong Kong
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$1,307,703 |
|
Project name
Hong Kong Reef Fish SurveyEstablish baseline knowledge of reef fish in Hong Kong through scientific underwater surveys by citizen scientists |
Grant Total
HK$2,700,000 |
|
Organisation
Bloom Association Hong Kong Limited 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$655,750 |
|
Project name
Waterbird Census and Wetland Conservation in ChinaEmpower local conservation groups to help conserve intertidal wetlands in Mainland China through a systematic bird census and public education |
Grant Total
HK$2,159,000 |
|
Organisation
The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$657,650 |
|
Project name
SWIMS-FishbaseImprove and enhance the extent of the largest global databases of fish and non-fish marine animals |
Grant Total
HK$1,004,000 |
|
Organisation
The University of Hong Kong 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$602,000 |
|
Project name
Juvenile Horseshoe Crab Rearing ProgrammeRaise awareness of and encourage participation in biodiversity and habitat conservation |
Grant Total
HK$1,572,000 |
|
Organisation
Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$500,000 |
|
Project name
SWIMS’ ExpansionExpand and upgrade SWIMS facilities |
Grant Total
HK$30,000,000^ |
|
Organisation
The University of Hong Kong
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
- |
|
Project name
Dongshan Swire Marine Station (D-SMART)Support the design and construction of a marine station |
Grant Total
HK$7,031,380* |
|
Organisation
Xiamen University 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
- |
|
Project name
Ocean Asia Project IIAdvance sustainable fisheries in Hong Kong and Mainland China with special focus on fostering a sustainable seafood market in Hong Kong |
Grant Total
HK$2,860,000* |
|
Organisation
The ADM Capital Foundation Limited 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
- |
|
Project name
N/ASupport the orchestra’s overall mission, development and activities. Inspire and expand musical appreciation in Hong Kong |
Grant Total
HK$42,204,800 |
|
Organisation
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society Limited (Grant 4) 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$3,656,000 |
|
Project name
N/ASupport the orchestra’s overall mission, development and activities. Inspire and expand musical appreciation in Hong Kong |
Grant Total
HK$46,377,000 |
|
Organisation
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society Limited (Grant 5)
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$11,275,500 |
|
Project name
N/APromote the arts and artistic talent among persons with disabilities, create equal opportunities for them in the arts sector and foster social integration |
Grant Total
HK$1,500,000 annually |
|
Organisation
Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$1,500,000 |
|
Project name
The Magic of Audio DescriptionEnhance cultural experiences for the visually impaired through specialised audio description |
Grant Total
HK$3,074,000 |
|
Organisation
The Hong Kong Society for the Blind 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$1,000,000 |
|
Project name
Spark! Arts Programme for Children at Small Group HomesProvide free, high quality visual and performing arts activities for children in small group homes |
Grant Total
HK$2,306,000 |
|
Organisation
Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$850,000 |
|
Project name
N/A Provide transport costs for disadvantaged schools to participate in the museum’s education programme |
Grant Total
HK$1,000,000 |
|
Organisation
Hong Kong Maritime Museum Limited 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$730,890 |
|
Project name
Arts Access FundProvide financial resources for disadvantaged persons to access the arts and cultural events in Hong Kong |
Grant Total
HK$250,000 annually |
|
Organisation
Various NGOs |
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
HK$58,975 |
|
Project name
Drum FunProvide free Chinese drum classes to low-income primary school students in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong |
Grant Total
HK$809,000* |
|
Organisation
Music Children Foundation Limited 
|
Grant disbursed in 2018 †
- |
*2018 active projects, but with last payment made in previous years
^ Deferred payment of remaining balance of HK$5m for SWIMS’ Expansion project, subjected to construction work performed by new contractor
† figures focus on major grants and exclude non-recurring donations
Project objective: To involve local communities in Swire Properties’ placemaking through arts, culture, food and entertainment
Project outputs and outcomes: Swire Properties invited members of the local community to join four creative programmes celebrating the neighbourhood spirit of Taikoo Place and Star Street Precinct:
I AM A PLACEMAKER
Participants created artworks reflecting the changes they wanted to see in Tai Koo. Around 400 individual artworks were combined into a single installation displayed at the sky lobby of One Island East and at Cityplaza.
I AM A SINGER-SONGWRITER
Budding performers developed songs based on the stories of people living in the Eastern District and Wan Chai areas of Hong Kong. Creative workshops co-hosted by social enterprise “Every Life is a Song” guided 16 community singer-songwriters to write and perform six songs.
I AM A COOKING ACE
A Christmas cook-off celebrated the culinary talents of five community chefs in Taikoo Shing. The five winning recipes were featured on the Christmas menu at EAST Hong Kong and at the White Christmas Street Fair charity sales.
I AM A DRINKS MASTER
Community mixologists created Christmassy cocktails and mocktails at the Star Street Precinct, with the support of local restaurants and bars. The 12 leading drinks were available at the White Christmas Street Fair charity sales.
Project objective: To help women in Mainland China to learn and grow, improve their quality of life and income, and create value for society (under the “Coca-Cola 5by20 Initiative”)
Project outputs and outcomes: 5by20’s “Coca-Cola Mama University” is a programme led and created by The Coca-Cola Company to offer professional and personal development training for women in Mainland China. Through this programme, Swire Coca-Cola provided over 450 courses at 13 bottling plants to more than 200,000 women. The course content covered topics including accounting and finance, management, entrepreneurship and work-life balance. “Coca-Cola Mama University” brings value to women in Mainland China by providing the knowledge they need to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.
Project objective: To inspire Hong Kong’s youth to build awareness and empathy through travel and volunteer work
Project outputs and outcomes: In October 2018, Cathay Pacific invited a group of young Hong Kong people to go to Cambodia to do voluntary work to support its local communities. The group comprised young people who had never previously travelled, representatives from ethnic minority communities and survivors of drug addiction. Over five days, the group helped to build new homes for villagers and accompanied Cambodian children to national heritage sites where they learnt about their country’s history. The group also visited non-profit organisations and social enterprises.
Cathay Pacific’s partners in World As One were Social Ventures Hong Kong, VolTra and ELIV.
