When Corporate-NGO Partnerships Become Sustainability’s Double-Edged Sword

Alex Wong, founder of Hong Kong Bunny Rescue (HKBR), faced a pivotal decision when Century Honest Pharmaceutical (CHP) proposed a long-term partnership to develop rabbit-specific herbal supplements. While the collaboration promised stable revenue to advance HKBR’s mission, it risked mission drift and alienating stakeholders, particularly volunteers, adopters, and donors. Past experiences revealed tensions between financial survival and grassroots integrity, as corporations often prioritized profit over genuine animal welfare. Alex needed to assess CHP’s motives, manage potential power imbalances, and communicate strategically to retain stakeholder trust. The case examines how NGOs should manage business partnerships without compromising core values, applying Social Exchange Theory, Resource Dependence Theory, and the Stakeholder Salience Model. Key questions include: How could Alex unfold potential issues of reciprocity and autonomy before finalizing the partnership? How should he analyze the long-term trade-offs between financial stability and mission integrity? How should he prioritize stakeholder concerns to sustain support?