Chinese Philanthropy Picks Up Steam in America

Chinese immigrants who came to America and found success in a variety of fields are increasingly giving some of their fortunes to charity, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Jerry Yang, who developed the Internet-search site Yahoo, and his wife, Akiko Yamazaki, gave $75-million to Stanford University last year. At the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, in San Marino, Calif., officials courted the Chinese community for most of the $18.3-million raised for the Chinese gardens at the museum.

“There is a palpable sense that Chinese Americans have, by any measure, become wildly successful and they are proud of it and want to give back,” Suzy Moser, the Huntington’s assistant vice president of advancement, tells the Times.

In another Times story, the usually press-shy steel magnate Cyrus Tang, who came to the United States as a student in 1950, tells the paper he uses his gifts to inspire others. Mr. Tang, 78, has given more than $150-million to three foundations that support education, health care, and neighborhood involvement.

“I believe success in life is not based on assets gained or knowledge acquired,” says Mr. Tang, who intends to leave his personal assets to his foundations. “It is how we make use of what we have to contribute to society.”

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