The 2025 Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program Launches Igniting a New Generation of Changemakers

The Singapore Good Soil Foundation is proud to launch the 2025 edition of the Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program, bringing together 43 outstanding high school students from across Asia for a transformative five-day journey of purpose, leadership, and social innovation. To support this year’s participants, 11 exemplary students from last year’s cohort returned as Teaching Assistants, expanding the total cohort to 54 and deepening the program’s peer-led learning approach.

Now in its second year, the program will be held at NTU’s Innovation Port at Gaia and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth under the SG Youth Plan for Singapore’s 60^th year of Independence (SG60). The NextGen Philanthropy Leadership Program is more than just a camp. It’s a movement. A launchpad for the next generation of compassionate, bold, and visionary leaders.

A Journey Begins: Planting Seeds of Change

On opening day, students arrived full of energy and anticipation, welcomed as Student Fellows – a title that affirms their potential to lead social impact in their communities and beyond. The Opening Speech was delivered by Zack Cao, Co-Founder of the NextGen Philanthropy Leadership Program. Teaching Assistant Xu Ximan (Judy) also delivered a speech to students.

Learning from Trailblazers: Leadership Reimagined

Throughout the week, students will learn from an extraordinary lineup of global thinkers and changemakers. Highlights include:

Mr. Richard Buttrey (University of Cambridge), guiding students in discovering purpose-driven leadership on a global scale.
Mr Viswa Sadasivan, former Nominated Member of Parliament, who challenges students to lead with conviction and humility.
Assistant Professor Yonatan Bisk (Carnegie Mellon University), who explores the ethical frontiers of artificial intelligence and how technology can serve humanity.
Dr Catherine Breslin, founder of Kingfisher Labs and voice AI pioneer, who invites students to imagine a future built on responsible, inclusive innovation.

These sessions aren’t just lectures, they are living conversations that stretch the mind and stir the heart.

This year’s program will also feature Teaching Assistants, students who previously had attended the program last year who were invited to return to the program because of their leadership capabilities to play a role in moulding the next generation of changemakers.

Impact in Action: Where Learning Meets Life

This year’s program expands beyond the classroom with immersive, hands-on learning journeys. Student Fellows will:

Volunteer at nursing homes across Singapore to engage directly with elderly communities and learn more about the landscape of caring for seniors in Singapore
Explore inclusive innovation and how social impact is in practice at the Metropolitan YMCA, a hub for youth mentorship and outreach.
Learn about practical considerations about Artificial Intelligence

Each experience is designed to expose students to the real-world challenges—and quiet triumphs—of social change.

Coming Up: The Charity Pitch Challenge

In the days ahead, student teams will craft and present their own philanthropic projects at the signature Charity Pitch Challenge. With mentorship from industry leaders and access to seed funding, participants are tasked with creating solutions that are bold, practical, and meaningful.

Only the most compelling ideas will receive funding and incubation—but every voice will be heard.

A Future in Bloom

The NextGen Program is more than a summer experience. It’s a lifelong network. A belief that young people—given the right soil—can grow deep roots and reach extraordinary heights.

As the 2025 cohort begins this journey, the message is clear:
The future of philanthropy is not something we wait for. It’s something we build together, starting now.

NextGen