In this episode of the Charity Charge Show, we talk with Tina Hsing, Director of the Panda Cares Foundation, about a model that many donors wish more organizations followed. Panda Cares is the philanthropic arm of Panda Restaurant Group, and it operates in a simple way. The parent company covers every administrative cost. That choice allows the foundation to send one hundred percent of store donations and event contributions straight into community initiatives.
A Foundation With No Overhead Taken From Donors
When we asked Tina how the donations collected in Panda stores are used, she was direct. Panda Cares has no overhead funded by donors. All staff salaries and operating expenses are covered by Panda Restaurant Group. As a result, one hundred percent of the money collected in stores and at fundraising events goes straight back into the community.
For donors and partners, this removes the usual uncertainty about how much of their contribution reaches the field.
The Mission Behind Panda Cares
Founded in 1999 by Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Cares reflects a simple belief. Good fortune is best when shared. This principle guides the foundation’s mission to bring hope to children in need by strengthening two core areas that shape a young person’s future. Health and education.
Panda Cares supports underserved youth through food donations, financial resources, volunteer service, and disaster relief efforts. Through its Centers of Hope program, the foundation helps create safe, supportive spaces where children can learn and grow.
How the Model Works
Panda Cares is sustained by three main contributors. In store donors who give at checkout. Panda associates who support through contributions and volunteer hours. Business partners who participate in event based fundraising. Because Panda Restaurant Group covers all operational costs, every dollar from these channels maintains full value when it reaches programs in the field.
The model is simple and respects both the donor and the communities that rely on this support.
Pride in a Clear and Honest Approach
Tina shared that the Panda Cares team takes pride in this structure. It allows them to give a straightforward answer to donors, partners, and community organizations. They can say with certainty that their contributions are fully invested where they are needed.
Why It Matters
Many organizations talk about transparency. Panda Cares puts it into action. Its structure shows how strong corporate support can increase the reach and reliability of a philanthropic foundation. It also shows what can happen when a company’s values and its community commitments are aligned.
For anyone who wants to understand a charitable model that delivers every donated dollar to programs serving youth, Panda Cares offers a clear example worth noting.
Podcast Transcript Interview
What happens when a guest makes a donation at a Panda location?
Tina Hsing: Every dollar donated at the store level goes directly to the community. Panda Cares does not take any portion of those donations to cover administrative costs. Guests can give with confidence because their full contribution supports youth health, education, and relief programs.
How does Panda Cares operate with no overhead funded by donors?
Tina Hsing: Panda Restaurant Group covers all expenses for the Panda Cares Foundation. This includes staff salaries, operating costs, and program administration. Our team is fully supported by the company. This allows us to direct one hundred percent of every donated dollar to the programs and partners we serve.
What is the mission of Panda Cares?
Tina Hsing: Our mission is to bring hope to children in need by strengthening their health and education. These are the building blocks that shape long term opportunity. We focus on underserved youth and work to create healthier, safer, and more supportive environments for them. As Dr. Peggy Cherng often says, good fortune is best when it is shared. That belief guides everything we do.
How did Panda Cares begin?
Tina Hsing: Panda Cares was founded in 1999 by Andrew and Peggy Cherng. They wanted to create a formal way to give back to the communities surrounding Panda restaurants. What began as a simple commitment to local service has grown into a nationwide foundation supported by store donations, associates, and business partners.
What types of programs does Panda Cares support?
Tina Hsing: Our efforts center on youth health, youth education, and disaster relief. We provide funding for hospitals, schools, and community programs that help children learn, heal, and grow. We also step in with food, volunteer support, and financial resources when families face hardship or natural disasters.
What is the Centers of Hope program?
Tina Hsing: Centers of Hope are learning and play spaces that provide academic support and emotional care for children in underserved areas. These centers give young people a safe place to build confidence, gain new skills, and receive positive guidance. It is one of the programs we are most proud of because it gives children a stable environment every day.
How are Panda associates involved in the foundation?
Tina Hsing: Associates play a major role. They give through payroll contributions, volunteer throughout the year, and support store level fundraising. Many of our strongest programs are strengthened by the passion our team brings to serving youth and families.
What makes the Panda Cares model stand out in the nonprofit world?
Tina Hsing: The fact that one hundred percent of donor contributions reach the community makes a clear difference. Donors want honesty and accountability. Communities want full investment in the work that supports them. Panda Cares is able to honor both. The structure is simple, and it reflects the values of our founders.
How does Panda Cares decide which partners to support?
Tina Hsing: We focus on organizations that align with our mission in youth health and education. This includes children’s hospitals, school based programs, after school centers, youth development organizations, and groups that provide relief during crises. We look for partners with proven records of impact and a strong connection to the communities they serve.
What does success look like for Panda Cares?
Tina Hsing: Success is measured by the lives changed through health and education programs. It is seen in the students who gain confidence at school. It is seen in the families who receive support during a difficult time. It is seen in the children who walk into a Center of Hope and feel safe, seen, and supported. That is the work we care about most.
