jījīnhuì: 基金会 - Foundation, Endowment

• Keywords: 基金会, jījīnhuì, Chinese foundation, foundation in Chinese, non-profit in Chinese, NGO in Chinese, charity in Chinese, endowment, fund, philanthropic organization.
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 基金会 (jījīnhuì), the Chinese word for a “foundation” or non-profit organization. This page breaks down what a `jījīnhuì` is, how it differs from a simple “fund” (`jījīn`), and its growing importance in modern Chinese society for charity, education, and social welfare. Discover how to use this formal term correctly in conversation and understand its cultural significance.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jījīnhuì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A foundation or endowment; a non-profit, non-governmental organization established to provide funding for charitable, educational, religious, or other benevolent activities.
• In a Nutshell: Think of the “Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation” or the “Red Cross.” A 基金会 (jījīnhuì) is not just a pile of money; it's the official, legally recognized organization that manages and distributes that money for a specific social good. The key part of the word is `会 (huì)`, which means “association” or “organization.”

• 基 (jī): Base, foundation, fundamental. Imagine the foundation of a house; it's the starting point or support for everything else.
• 金 (jīn): Gold, money, funds. This character directly refers to the financial assets or endowment that powers the organization.
• 会 (huì): Meeting, association, organization. This character transforms the concept from a simple “fund” into an organized body of people with a shared purpose.

The characters literally combine to mean “base-money-organization.” This paints a clear picture: an organization (`会`) built on a base (`基`) of money (`金`) to achieve its goals.

While China has a long history of private charity, it was often conducted through family clans, temples, or local community groups. The modern 基金会 (jījīnhuì) is a relatively new concept, influenced by Western models of philanthropy and formally integrated into China's legal system since the 1980s. A key difference from a typical Western “foundation” lies in its relationship with the government. In China, `基金会`s operate under strict regulations and are often encouraged to align their goals with national development priorities, such as poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and educational advancement. While they are technically “non-governmental,” they often work in close partnership with government agencies to deliver social services. This reflects a broader cultural value of social harmony (和谐, `héxié`), where all parts of society, including the non-profit sector, are seen as contributing to collective stability and progress.

The term 基金会 (jījīnhuì) is formal and used in specific, official contexts. You will encounter it frequently in:

• News and Media: Reports on philanthropy, disaster relief, or social issues.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Companies often establish their own `基金会` to manage their charitable giving.
• Official Documents: Legal papers related to the establishment and operation of non-profits.

Its connotation is overwhelmingly positive and respectable, implying a legitimate, registered organization dedicated to the public good. Common collocations include:

• 慈善基金会 (císhàn jījīnhuì): Charitable foundation
• 教育基金会 (jiàoyù jījīnhuì): Education foundation
• 成立基金会 (chénglì jījīnhuì): To establish a foundation
• 向基金会捐款 (xiàng jījīnhuì juānkuǎn): To donate money to a foundation

• Example 1:
  • 这个基金会致力于保护濒危动物。
  • Pinyin: Zhège jījīnhuì zhìlìyú bǎohù bīnwēi dòngwù.
  • English: This foundation is dedicated to protecting endangered animals.
  • Analysis: A straightforward example showing how `基金会` is used as the subject of a sentence to describe an organization's mission.
• Example 2:
  • 他们计划成立一个基金会来帮助贫困学生。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen jìhuà chénglì yīgè jījīnhuì lái bāngzhù pínkùn xuéshēng.
  • English: They plan to establish a foundation to help students in poverty.
  • Analysis: The verb `成立 (chénglì)` is the standard word for “to establish” or “to found” an organization like a `基金会`.
• Example 3:
  • 我每个月都会向中国红十字基金会捐款。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měi gè yuè dōu huì xiàng Zhōngguó Hóngshízì Jījīnhuì juānkuǎn.
  • English: I donate money to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation every month.
  • Analysis: This shows a proper name of a real organization. Note that `基金会` is part of its official title. The preposition `向 (xiàng)` means “to” or “towards.”
• Example 4:
  • 这个医疗基金会资助了很多重要的研究项目。
  • Pinyin: Zhège yīliáo jījīnhuì zīzhùle hěn duō zhòngyào de yánjiū xiàngmù.
  • English: This medical foundation has funded many important research projects.
  • Analysis: `资助 (zīzhù)` means “to fund” or “to subsidize,” a common activity for a `基金会`.
• Example 5:
  • 新闻报道了那家公司如何通过其基金会回馈社会。
  • Pinyin: Xīnwén bàodàole nà jiā gōngsī rúhé tōngguò qí jījīnhuì huíkuì shèhuì.
  • English: The news reported on how that company gives back to society through its foundation.
  • Analysis: `通过 (tōngguò)` means “through” or “by means of.” This structure is common when discussing corporate social responsibility.
• Example 6:
  • 成为一个注册基金会的法律程序非常复杂。
  • Pinyin: Chéngwéi yīgè zhùcè jījīnhuì de fǎlǜ chéngxù fēicháng fùzá.
  • English: The legal procedures for becoming a registered foundation are very complex.
  • Analysis: `注册 (zhùcè)` means “registered,” highlighting the official and legal nature of a `基金会`.
• Example 7:
  • 该基金会的年度报告是公开的，任何人都可以查看。
  • Pinyin: Gāi jījīnhuì de niándù bàogào shì gōngkāi de, rènhé rén dōu kěyǐ chákàn.
  • English: The foundation's annual report is public, and anyone can view it.
  • Analysis: `该 (gāi)` is a formal way to say “that” or “the aforementioned,” often used in written or formal language.
• Example 8:
  • 他把大部分遗产都留给了他自己创办的教育基金会。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ dà bùfen yíchǎn dōu liú gěile tā zìjǐ chuàngbàn de jiàoyù jījīnhuì.
  • English: He left most of his inheritance to the education foundation he founded himself.
  • Analysis: `创办 (chuàngbàn)` is another word for “to found” or “to establish,” similar to `成立 (chénglì)`.
• Example 9:
  • 这个基金会为农村地区提供了免费的法律援助。
  • Pinyin: Zhège jījīnhuì wèi nóngcūn dìqū tígōngle miǎnfèi de fǎlǜ yuánzhù.
  • English: This foundation provided free legal aid for rural areas.
  • Analysis: Shows the practical, service-oriented work that a `基金会` does. `为 (wèi)` means “for.”
• Example 10:
  • 我们的目标是为环保基金会筹集一百万。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de mùbiāo shì wèi huánbǎo jījīnhuì chóují yī bǎi wàn.
  • English: Our goal is to raise one million for the environmental foundation.
  • Analysis: `筹集 (chóují)` means “to raise” funds, a key activity related to supporting a `基金会`.

The most critical mistake for learners is confusing 基金会 (jījīnhuì) with 基金 (jījīn).

• 基金 (jījīn) - Fund: This refers to the money itself. It can be an investment fund (like a mutual fund), a scholarship fund, or any collection of money for a specific purpose.
  • Correct: 我买了一个股票基金。(Wǒ mǎile yīgè gǔpiào jījīn.) - I bought a stock fund.
  • Correct: 我们为他的大学教育设立了一个基金。(Wǒmen wèi tā de dàxué jiàoyù shèlìle yīgè jījīn.) - We set up a fund for his university education.
• 基金会 (jījīnhuì) - Foundation: This refers to the organization. You donate to a `基金会`; a `基金会` manages a `基金`.
  • Correct: 我向一个慈善基金会捐了款。(Wǒ xiàng yīgè císhàn jījīnhuì juānle kuǎn.) - I donated money to a charitable foundation.

Incorrect Usage Example:

• Incorrect: 我为我的退休生活设立了一个基金会。 (Wǒ wèi wǒ de tuìxiū shēnghuó shèlìle yīgè jījīnhuì.)
• Why it's wrong: You are an individual setting aside money, not establishing a formal, legal non-profit organization.
• Correct version: 我为我的退休生活准备了一笔基金。 (Wǒ wèi wǒ de tuìxiū shēnghuó zhǔnbèile yī bǐ jījīn.) - I prepared a fund for my retirement.

Think of it this way: You invest in a `基金` (fund), but you donate to a `基金会` (foundation).

• 基金 (jījīn) - A fund. The financial asset that a `基金会` manages.
• 慈善 (císhàn) - Charity; philanthropy. Often used to describe the nature of a foundation, as in `慈善基金会`.
• 公益 (gōngyì) - Public welfare; the public good. The ultimate goal of most foundations.
• 组织 (zǔzhī) - An organization. A more general term; a `基金会` is a specific type of `组织`.
• 非政府组织 (fēi zhèngfǔ zǔzhī) - Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). The broader category that `基金会` falls into.
• 捐款 (juānkuǎn) - To donate money; a donation. The act of giving money to a `基金会`.
• 成立 (chénglì) - To establish; to found. The verb used for creating a `基金会`.
• 赞助 (zànzhù) - To sponsor; sponsorship. A way for companies or individuals to support the activities of a `基金会`.
• 协会 (xiéhuì) - An association. Similar to `基金会` but often broader, referring to groups of people with common interests (e.g., an alumni association) rather than being primarily fund-based.