By Pang Li
China.org.cn staff reporter

Qiang people, an ethnic group from earthquake-striken Sichuan Province perform at the beginnin of the One Foundation Philanthropy Awards Nov. 1.

On November 1, a grand ceremony was held in an auxiliary session to?China Global Philanthropy Forum in Beijing to make awards to seven Chinese not-for-profit organizations (NPO), marking the launch of the annual One Foundation Philanthropy Awards.

The winners were chosen through an objective and comprehensive evaluation by top NPO experts, a first for such a process in China. Each received an award of 1,000,000 yuan (about US$147,000) for their outstanding professionalism, accountability, sustainability and implementation capacity. The money, however, is not for any individual, and will be used to improve the organizations' services and fund their daily operations under supervision of the One Foundation.

An evaluation panel member delivers a speech at the One Foundation Philanthropy Awards Nov. 1.

The winners are dedicated to raising environmental awareness in society or helping social vulnerable groups like women, children and the elderly. They are the following: Beijing Stars and Rain Education Research Institute, Liangshan Empowerment Center for Yi (ethnic group) Children and Women, Global Village of Beijing, Fuping Development Institute of Beijing, The Cultural Development Center for Rural Women, Shaanxi Research Association for Women and Family, and Tianjin-based Hetong Elderly People's Welfare Association.

A winner receives award at One Foundation Philanthropy Awards Nov. 1.

As the address from NPO pioneer Xu Yongguang made clear, these native NPOs, whether small or large, rank as world-class because of their remarkable professionalism and dedication. Mr. Xu said that it had been a difficult task to select the winners in accordance with stringent standards from a relatively limited number of native NPOs. At the same time, he took great pleasure in the healthy growth of such organizations.

The One Foundation was founded by international movie star, Jet Li in April 2007. With the concept of "One World, One Family", Mr. Li tries to raise charity awareness among ordinary people. The One Foundation Philanthropy Award aims to promote an NPO evaluation mode and channel social donations to worthy recipients.

(China.org.cn November 3, 2008)