So far, 25 NGOs and social enterprises have set their headquarters at the park, accounting for about one third of the social organizations the park is capable of housing.

Some of the better-known charities are Xingyu autistic children's rehabilitation center; Zhiliao Public Welfare Culture Communication Center, which helps the disabled to find job opportunities; and Habitat for Humanity China, whose mission is to eliminate substandard housing by building decent homes for needy families.

"The park is geared toward social organizations whose projects and services are urgently needed in China, such as environmental protection and helping the disabled," Chen said.

The Puki Coordination Agency, a social enterprise dedicated to training the hearing-impaired in graphic design skills and finding internships and job opportunities for them, moved to the park in May.

Xiao Liang, Puki's founder, said the rent for the office is about half the price of nearby commercial office buildings along the bustling Lujiabang road.

"It is better that NGOs with similar missions gather here than scatter in separate offices across the city. We can share information and resources and collaborate with each other," he said.