Chinese Name: 新港文教基金會
Establishment: 1987
Founder: Chen Chin-huang (陳錦煌)
Website: https://www.hkfce.org.tw/
Did You Know That…?
The Hsin Kang Foundation of Culture and Education is an internationally renowned non-profit organization. The foundation has received recognition from prestigious awards such as the Presidential Culture Awards and the National Environment Education Award.
In June 1987, Lin Hwai-min (林懷民), founder of the renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre (雲門舞集), returned to his hometown, Hsinkang Township (新港鄉) and staged public performances. These performances inspired Chen Chin-huang, a local doctor, to connect with the townspeople to establish the Hsin Kang Foundation of Culture and Education in October of the same year. The foundation later became a pioneer in community-building movements in the Hsinkang area.
At that time, Taiwan’s society lacked access to art and cultural resources and was facing the loss of historical documents. The foundation’s early activities focused on art performances, book promotion, and cultural heritage preservation. In its next phase, the foundation emphasized nativism, education, multiculturalism, and community development, attracting more townspeople to participate and initiating collaborations with other organizations.
Since its establishment, the foundation has expanded its mission from organizing art performances to promoting cultural transmission, environmental protection, lifelong learning, welfare of the underprivileged, and international exchanges. Furthermore, to create job opportunities in rural areas, the foundation bolstered community enterprises by facilitating eco-tourism, the sale of local specialties and agricultural products, and elder care services.
Besides, the foundation actively collaborates with official departments, serving as a bridge between the people and the government and aiding in the allocation of funds within the communities. Due to its excellent results, the foundation has been praised by the government as a role model for community-building projects. It has not only successfully spread the idea of community empowerment but also encouraged public participation in public affairs.
(Image: The Hsin Kang Foundation of Culture and Education)