Starbucks Foundation invests $3 million in Chinese youth

Starbucks Coffee Company has announced plans to invest US$3 million to develop future leaders in China over the next three years, including US$1.5 million to the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF). Administered by Give2Asia, a social enterprise dedicated to building a civil society across Asia, Starbucks’ partnership with CSCLF is designed to open up educational and leadership opportunities for young people in China. “As Starbucks China has grown so too has our foundational aspiration to build a different kind of company in China, one committed to performance that is driven through the lens of humanity and locally relevant innovation,” said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, in a statement.  “Today, we are proud to honour and renew the Starbucks Foundation’s ongoing partnership with the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation to enrich the lives of Chinese youth and be a positive force in building their future success.” With the US$1.5 million, CSCLF will convene leading experts in the areas of youth development, training, academics and business to establish the Youth Leadership Development Program, a unique curriculum focused on developing future leaders in China. Through the program, students will build their skills and also have mentorship opportunities with Starbucks senior leaders. After participating, students can choose to apply for training courses under the Starbucks China University or corporate internship opportunities with Starbucks in China. “We are pleased to expand our partnership with the Starbucks Foundation to continue to foster young leaders in China who have demonstrated a passion and commitment to serving the society around them,” said Vice-Chairman, China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Jing Dunquan, in the statement. “The investment from the Starbucks Foundation will directly develop locally-relevant education and mentorship programs for university students to build leadership skills in communities across China.”
The Youth Development Leadership Program hopes to reach 1,500 university students across China, from both urban and rural areas and those with disadvantaged backgrounds, over the three years. Starbucks Foundation and CSCLF have been in partnership since 2006 to address relevant social needs across China.