The Ash Center at Harvard University has begun a program to study emerging private philanthropy in China, made possible by the vast growth in private wealth in China over the past three decades that has led to 102 individuals making it to the Forbes' list of world USD billionaires, and many more with wealth in excess of 100 million yuan.

The program has assembled a list of the top 100 givers in the 12 months from September 2014, with such gifts ranging from 1 million to 400 million yuan. Over half the gifts were to improve education, followed by social welfare and disaster relief. Over half of the gifts went to state or state-owned institutions, including universities, schools and health care facilities. Over 40 percent were private endeavors.