Southeast Asia’s digital giving landscape is experiencing remarkable growth. Digital philanthropy in the region has grown at 20-25% annually, driven by the convergence of high mobile adoption, and backed by long-standing cultural values such as mutual aid (gotong royong, bayanihan), and religious philanthropy (zakat, sadaqah). With Southeast Asia’s digital economy set to benefit from 125,000 new users coming online every day, this creates opportunities to strengthen digital giving.
However, a significant gap persists: 42% of Asian donors still prefer cash-based direct giving, revealing a disconnect between digital payment adoption and charitable giving behaviour. The discussion examined how platforms, governments, and nonprofits can bridge this gap while preserving the personal connection and collective belonging unique to Asian giving.
Facilitators & Participants
Facilitators
- Citra H Nasruddin, Programme Director, TFGI
- Fairoz Ahmad, Programme Fellow, TFGI
- Erlanggasakti Ubaszti Putra, Programme Analyst, TFGI
Focus Group Participants:
- Ana Maria Paz B. Rafael, LL.M., Assistant Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippines
- Hafiza Elvira Nofitariani, MNLM, Head of Muzaki Priority Division, BAZNAS RI, Indonesia
- Kithmina Hewage, Senior Adviser, Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS)
- Umar Munshi, Managing Partner, HASAN.VC & Co-founder, Ethis Group
- Reancy Triashari, Head of Public Communications, Indonesia E-Commerce Association
- Mohamad Faiz Selamat, Principal Consultant, Advisory and Head of Knowledge & Solutions, Empact
- Reza Indra Adichaputra, Project Leader, Kitabisa, Indonesia
- Jay Ian L. Capungan, Executive Assistant III, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippines
- Janet Neo, Executive Advisor, ANT International
Key Takeaways
1. Build Trust Through Transparency
Participants emphasised that digital giving faces dual trust barriers: unfamiliarity with platforms compared to e-commerce, and donor preference for known religious institutions over unfamiliar nonprofits.
Representatives from leading platforms shared how transparency mechanisms build credibility. Kitabisa, Indonesia’s largest donation platform that facilitated over IDR 730 billion in 2019, uses real-time updates, proof documentation (receipts and photos), suspicious activity reporting, and verified NGO accounts. The platform increased individual donations by 78% through personalised email campaigns. BAZNAS, Indonesia’s national zakat agency, achieves transparency through email reporting, digital impact reports, and WhatsApp channels that maintain personal connection while enabling convenience.
However, participants warned that over-engineering donation processes risks losing the “spirit of giving” and collective belonging that makes Asian philanthropy unique. The goal is transparent systems that inspire confidence without sacrificing cultural values.
2. Remove Structural Barriers
Discussion revealed multiple friction points limiting digital giving at scale. Representatives from platforms, government agencies, and nonprofits identified three key barrier categories:
E-wallet transaction limits (5 to 20 million rupiah in Indonesia) prevent larger zakat payments, forcing donors back to bank transfers. The multi-step process—bank account to e-wallet to donation—creates additional friction. Crowdfunding regulations designed for street collection now apply inappropriately to digital platforms. Philippines participants noted anti-money laundering laws cap transactions at 50,000 pesos, while private agencies need both social welfare licensing and public solicitation permits.
Representatives from nonprofit organisations highlighted struggles with digital marketing and storytelling skills. According to research cited by CAPS representatives, 29% of Asian nonprofits avoid online fundraising platforms due to prohibitive hosting costs. AI tools offer potential solutions, but knowledge gaps persist, particularly among older charity leadership.
Platform representatives noted that cross-border giving incurs significant costs: typically 5% platform fees, 1% digital processing fees, and currency conversion charges—totalling 6 to 7% in friction. International payment systems face geopolitical risks that particularly impact organisations receiving funds from the Gulf region.
3. Integrate Giving Into Daily Life
Participants agreed that platforms should move beyond treating donations as separate features. Instead, integrate giving into natural user journeys to make philanthropy habitual and convenient.
Religious reminders: Zakat prompts during Ramadan leverage culturally significant moments
- Micro-donations: E-commerce checkout integrations enable round-up donations seamlessly
- Loyalty conversions: Transform everyday spending points into charitable contributions
Representatives from e-commerce platforms noted this approach taps into the region’s strong cultural values while reducing friction. The goal is to make giving as easy as online shopping, gradually shifting the 42% of cash-preferring donors toward digital channels.
4. Scale Through Partnerships
No single actor can solve these challenges alone. Participants explored multiple collaborative approaches emerging across the region, demonstrating how platforms, corporates, governments, and nonprofits can work together to build capacity while reducing barriers.
Representatives from Kitabisa described their “streamlined philanthropy” model, providing data-driven guidance to match corporate donors with verified NGOs. The platform extends beyond fundraising to teach 20+ provincial NGOs financial management and marketing skills.
Empact representatives outlined their pro bono “school” model: 60- to 90-minute webinars every 2 to 4 weeks, during which corporate practitioners coach charities on marketing, IT, and digital campaign design. This addresses both charities needing skills they cannot afford and corporate employees seeking purpose beyond commercial work.
Philippines government representatives shared how Area-Based Standards Networks create cooperative NGO groups for mutual support on licensing and permits. The government’s newly launched Kaagapay portal targets diaspora giving through the Department of Migrant Workers’ outreach and integrates multiple payment methods.
Participants discussed emerging technologies: QR-code systems connecting corporate donors directly to beneficiaries through retail partners, AI-powered campaign generation for mosque facility repairs, and blockchain payment rails offering geopolitically-neutral alternatives to traditional banking systems.
The discussion concluded that success requires twin tracks: (1) regulatory alignment, including higher e-wallet transaction limits, streamlined permits for legitimate organisations, and right-sized anti-money laundering thresholds; and (2) technical interoperability through multiple low-cost cross-border payment options acceptable to regulators.
Looking Ahead
As Southeast Asia’s digital economy continues toward $1 trillion by 2025, with the potential to reach $2 trillion by 2030, the opportunity to transform philanthropy is immense. By addressing trust barriers, removing structural constraints, integrating giving into daily experiences, and scaling through partnerships, the region can build a digital giving ecosystem that is inclusive, efficient, and true to its philanthropic spirit.
