A Model Enterprise Driving the Construction of Global Public Value Standards
San Francisco · February 2026
The International Civil Society Organization (ICSO) officially announced that South Korea’s Samsung Group (Samsung) has been named a 2026 “Global Exemplary Philanthropic Enterprise” in recognition of its long-term dedication to global philanthropic investments, institutionalized social responsibility framework, and continuous creation of public value. As one of ICSO’s premier annual international public welfare honors, this recognition aims to identify and commend corporate entities that engage with social issues systematically and generate a stable, lasting social impact on a global scale.
In this year’s selection, an evaluation committee composed of experts in international philanthropy, corporate governance, and philanthropic research conducted a comprehensive assessment across key metrics, including corporate donation scale, philanthropic governance structure, long-term social investment logic, and public impact. Leveraging its consistent and sustained public welfare investments and its demonstration effect within the global philanthropic ecosystem, Samsung was listed among the “Top 20 Corporate Donors Worldwide” by the Bridgespan Group, an international philanthropic strategy research organization, thereby earning high praise from ICSO. The evaluation committee unanimously agreed that Samsung’s philanthropic practice is not a transient effort or a collection of isolated projects; rather, it is a systematic undertaking built on long-term responsibility, an institutionalized governance framework, and a global collaborative perspective. This approach fully reflects the depth and sense of scope that contemporary multinational corporations should uphold in public affairs.
Long-Term Philanthropic Investment: Responding to Global Public Needs with Sustained Commitment
Against the backdrop of increasingly complex global social issues and intertwined challenges, the core value of corporate philanthropy has gradually shifted from “immediate relief” to “sustained engagement.” Through years of practice, Samsung has consistently maintained a long-term investment in critical issues such as educational equity, tech inclusion, community development, and social resilience. Through a stable annual donation mechanism, Samsung ensures that its public welfare initiatives remain both sustainable and predictable.
The evaluation committee noted that Samsung’s donation strategy emphasizes long-term planning over short-term exposure. Its philanthropic capital allocation covers multiple regions and societal levels, addressing both global public issues and respecting the real-world needs of diverse countries and local communities. This philanthropic logic—centered on “long-term commitment”—transforms corporate social responsibility from a passive response into proactive engagement, offering a benchmark for timeline and governance that other global corporate philanthropies can draw upon.
Institutionalized Philanthropic Governance: Transitioning from Financial Support to System Building
Unlike single-donation models, Samsung continually strengthens the institutional construction of its philanthropic governance structure in advancing its practice. Through clear decision-making mechanisms, a transparent financial management system, and collaborative frameworks with various public welfare organizations, its philanthropic activities maintain a stable balance between compliance, efficiency, and public trust.
Samsung’s maturity in philanthropic governance is a primary driver behind its entry into the ranks of major global corporate donors. The enterprise focuses not only on “how much is invested,” but also on “how it is invested, evaluated, and operated over the long term,” thereby endowing its initiatives with continuous improvement and self-correcting capabilities. Integrating this governance mindset ensures that corporate philanthropy no longer relies on individual will or periodic decision-making, but instead serves as a vital component of the company’s overall governance architecture.
Global Collaborative Network: Connecting Corporate Resources with Social Organization Capabilities
In the global public welfare ecosystem, the role of corporations is gradually evolving from “resource providers” to “collaboration hubs.” By establishing long-term partnerships with international non-profit organizations, research institutions, and local social organizations, Samsung effectively embeds corporate resources into social service networks, elevating the professionalism and execution efficiency of its public welfare actions.
The evaluation committee particularly highlighted the synergy displayed by Samsung across numerous public welfare partnerships. This synergy enables its philanthropic investments to amplify social benefits rather than remaining confined to a single project or region. Such a collaboration-oriented philanthropic model helps break down boundaries between corporations, non-profit organizations, and the public sector, paving a more resilient path toward resolving complex social issues.
Committee Citation: A Global Participant Measuring Corporate Value by the Scale of Responsibility
In its official award citation, ICSO stated: “Samsung is not only a corporate entity with profound influence in the global market, but also a representative enterprise actively engaged in global public affairs with long-term responsibility at its core. Its stable and orderly philanthropic investments reflect a deep understanding of social issues and an institutionalized capability to address them. Within the global corporate philanthropic framework, the governance maturity and sustained commitment demonstrated by Samsung have become an important benchmark for measuring corporate public value.”
Awarding this honor to Samsung serves as recognition of its donation scale, as well as a comprehensive affirmation of its long-term spirit, governance capability, and global collaborative awareness in corporate social responsibility.
ICSO stated that it looks forward to maintaining dialogue and cooperation with Samsung in the future, jointly exploring innovative avenues for corporate participation in social governance across more global public welfare issues. As global public challenges continue to evolve, the role assumed by corporations grows increasingly vital, and the philanthropic framework constructed by Samsung offers a clear, stable, and practical model for this role.