2026 Richard Rockefeller Fellows Explore Strategic Philanthropy and U.S.-China Relations at Columbia
The 2026 Richard Rockefeller Fellowship brought eight nonprofit and social impact leaders from China to Columbia for two days of lectures, dialogue, and institutional visits focused on philanthropy, social impact, and U.S.-China engagement.
On October 1–2, 2026, the Columbia China Center for Social Policy, in partnership with Columbia Global and the Columbia University School of Social Work (CSSW), welcomed eight Richard Rockefeller Fellows from China for a two-day workshop on “Strategic Philanthropy and U.S.-China Relations.” The program brought together nonprofit and social impact leaders from China with scholars and practitioners in New York for an exchange on strategic philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and U.S.-China engagement.
Now in its second year at Columbia, the program continued to connect academic perspectives with practice-based learning. On the first day, fellows gathered at Columbia University for a full day of lectures and conversations with faculty and experts across social policy, philanthropy, nonprofit governance, and global affairs. Professor Qin Gao, Founding Director of the China Center for Social Policy, welcomed the fellows, followed by an introduction to CSSW by Vice Dean Ana F. Abraído-Lanza.
2026 Richard Rockefeller Fellows following the opening session at Columbia University
Lectures and Conversations at Columbia
On the first day, the fellows participated in three expert-led lectures exploring key issues in U.S.-China nonprofit and philanthropic work, child and family well-being, and China’s role in the global energy transition.
Mark Sidel, Doyle-Bascom Professor of Law and Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Chair of the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), discussed emerging challenges facing U.S.-China nonprofit and philanthropic work.
Brenda Jones Harden, Ruth Harris Ottman Professor of Child and Family Welfare at the Columbia School of Social Work, explored the role of philanthropy in improving the lives of young children and their families.
Adam Tooze, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of History at Columbia University, examined China’s growing leadership in the global energy transition and how Western countries are responding.
The sessions generated lively discussions, as fellows connected the speakers’ perspectives with their own experiences working in China’s nonprofit and social impact sectors.
Mark Sidel discusses emerging challenges in U.S.-China nonprofit and philanthropic work.
Adam Tooze discusses China’s leadership in the global energy transition and Western responses.
Visits to Policy and Philanthropic Organizations
The second day shifted from the classroom to the field, offering fellows opportunities to visit and exchange ideas with leading policy and philanthropic organizations across New York City. The first stop was the Asia Society, where fellows met with Susan Jakes, Jennifer Choo, Sara Segal-Williams, Muyi Xiao, and Qing Wang from China File and the Center for China Analysis for discussions on contemporary China and U.S.-China relations.
2026 Richard Rockefeller Fellows Visiting the Asia Society
2026 Richard Rockefeller Fellows Visiting the Luce Foundation
The group then visited the Henry Luce Foundation and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR), engaging with leaders including Yuting Li, Jan Berris, Margot E. Landman, Elizabeth Knup, and Arthur Kroeber. The day concluded at Robin Hood, where Sarah Oltmans, Chief of Grant Strategy, shared perspectives on grantmaking and philanthropic strategy.
2026 Richard Rockefeller Fellows Visiting Robin Hood
Across the two days, fellows actively raised questions, shared experiences, and exchanged reflections with speakers and one another. Participants described the conversations and site visits as highly valuable, particularly for gaining new perspectives on how philanthropic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and research institutions approach social challenges in the United States. The workshop also created opportunities for deeper dialogue between Chinese nonprofit leaders and U.S.-based scholars and practitioners.
Through programs like the Richard Rockefeller Fellowship, the China Center for Social Policy continues to serve as a platform for international dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, connecting academic insights with the experiences of practitioners working to address complex social challenges in China and beyond.