jījīnhuì: 基金会 - Foundation, Endowment [The Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
====== jījīnhuì: 基金会 - Foundation, Endowment ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  *   **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  *   **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."
===== Character Breakdown =====
  *   **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
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 Sentences =====
  *   **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`.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
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).
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[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.