Shek Daniel T L
Centre for Quality of Life, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
ScientificWorldJournal. 2008 Aug 27;8:802-10. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2008.111.
In charitable foundations throughout the world, different approaches are used to allocate funding. As many projects with good will (i.e., enthusiasm-based charity) actually fail to help those who really need it, it is argued that the evidence-based approach (i.e., charity guided by scientific evidence) represents the best strategy to support projects that can really help the needy. Using this approach, scientific research findings are systematically used to (1) understand the nature of the problem and/or social needs, (2) design appropriate intervention programs based on the best available evidence, and (3) systematically evaluate the outcomes of the developed program. Using the Project P.A.T.H.S. funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as an example, the characteristics underlying this approach are outlined. The systematic use of scientific evidence in the Project P.A.T.H.S. is exemplary in different Chinese societies. This project provides much insight for charitable foundations and funding bodies locally and globally.
在世界各地的慈善基金会中，人们采用不同的方法来分配资金。由于许多善意的项目（即基于热情的慈善行为）实际上未能帮助到真正有需要的人，因此有人认为，基于证据的方法（即由科学证据指导的慈善行为）是支持能够真正帮助有需要者的项目的最佳策略。运用这种方法，科学研究结果被系统地用于：（1）了解问题的本质和/或社会需求；（2）根据现有最佳证据设计适当的干预方案；（3）系统地评估所制定方案的成果。以香港赛马会慈善信托基金资助的“共创成长路”计划为例，概述了这种方法的基本特征。“共创成长路”计划中对科学证据的系统运用在不同的华人社会中堪称典范。该项目为本地及全球的慈善基金会和资助机构提供了许多启示。
