Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action(ARNOVA) is an international academic association based in the United States that addresses themes of philanthropy, volunteerism, and nonprofit organizations. The conference is held annually in various locations across the United States. The Center on Philanthropy at The Beautiful Foundation primarily shares insights into Korean giving behaviors and attitudes through presentations of Giving Korea.

This year, ARNOVA-Asia, the regional version of ARNOVA, was held in Seoul, Republic of Korea. ARNOVA-Asia began in 2017 in China and has been held biennially since then. The Beautiful Foundation participated in the 2nd ARNOVA-Asia in Hong Kong and the 8th ARNOVA-Asia (China, online). This year, the 8th conference took place at Yonsei University, Seoul.

On June 20th, a tour program was organized for researchers participating in the conference, hosted by Advance Research on Civil Society and Philanthropy in Asia (ARCSPA) and Korean Nonprofit and Philanthropy Researchers Network (KNPRN). As scholars researching nonprofit organizations, volunteerism, and philanthropy, visiting Korean foundations was a special experience. The hosts provided an opportunity to visit notable Korean civic organizations and foundations, including People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, The Beautiful Foundation, and the Community Chest of Korea.

At The Beautiful Foundation, there was an introduction to the foundation’s history, campaigns, and philanthropic research projects. After a brief introduction of the foundation and its research center, the participants toured the facility, learning about the foundation’s first donor and fund, the “Kim Gun-Ja Fund,” 1% Sharing Campaign, and more projects.

This visit to the institutions and the ARNOVA-Asia conference was especially delightful, as it allowed for encounters with many more Asian researchers than before.

Related contents: The 8th ARNOVA-Asia Conference in Seoul