News

The Straits Times: Legacy of giving lives on

News

Home » Resources » News » The Straits Times: Legacy of giving lives on

News

The Straits Times: Legacy of giving lives on

John Doe

In his final year as president, Mr S R Nathan – together with a few of his close friends – started discussing with me the idea of starting a philanthropic fund to help “uplift” children from poor families.

Coinciding with the launch of Mr Nathan’s memoir An Unexpected Journey: Path To The Presidency in 2011, the S R Nathan Education Upliftment Fund was established to provide financial support to disadvantaged young people by helping them complete their education.

A Celebration of Growth, Gratitude and New Beginnings: CFS’s Annual Chinese New Year Appreciation Luncheon

Group of elderly sitting around a round table

Family of Wisdom – Caring for persons with dementia and their caregivers

Three young men playing soccer on a field, displaying teamwork, agility, and passion for the sport.

Changi Foundation – Helping youths to realise their dreams

Despite Mr Nathan’s initial reluctance on naming the fund after himself (the humble and unassuming man that he was), we were glad he eventually relented, as it would help promote the concept of community ownership and inspire others to do the same.

Administered by the Community Foundation of Singapore, the fund has since supported close to 1,000 Institute of Technical Education, polytechnic and university students by providing them bursaries, scholarships and monthly financial assistance.

The fund resonated with Mr Nathan’s beliefs and conviction about giving and receiving kindness, which we witnessed first-hand while working with him to manage the grants.

He was always involved and would make time to meet the many recipients – getting to know them and their families. He would even follow up by sending handwritten notes of thanks and encouragement.

Mr Nathan has touched many young lives through this fund. His death leaves a void, but his legacy of giving lives on. I hope that in time to come, those whom he has helped will do the same by reaching out to help others.

Laurence Lien Tsung Chern
Chairman
Community Foundation of Singapore

Link to story: http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/legacy-of-giving-lives-on

Related Topics For You: ACCESSING QUALITY EDUCATION, CHARITY STORIES, DONOR STORIES, DONOR-ADVISED FUND, EDUCATION, FAMILIES, INCLUSIVITY & INTEGRATION, LEGACY GIVING, NEWS, STORIES OF IMPACT, YOUTH

admin bluecube

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.

News

CFS wins inaugural award for contributions to the community care sector

John Doe

The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) is one of twelve organisations selected to receive the inaugural Friends of Community Care Award 2020.

Launched by the Agency of Integrated Care (AIC), the award honours organisations outside of the community care sector who have contributed to the community care sector.

The Community Foundation of Singapore Ushers in a New Era of Philanthropy

Children dressed in bright costumes holding props while performing on stage

UBS Diversity in Abilities Concert – Celebrating the talents of children with special needs

Bright moon illuminating serene city park.

The Funding Network (TFN)

CFS is honoured to have been selected by a distinguished judging panel, comprising veterans from the Community Care Sector, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Health and AIC.

A Friend in Crisis

The COVID-19 crisis in Singapore was the catalyst for a series of conversations between CFS and AIC. With early cases of COVID-19 being reported from February to March 2020, CFS approached AIC to see how CFS could support the sector as it faced with new and unprecedented challenges.

Through these conversations, CFS was constantly receptive to AIC’s feedback on areas of need amongst community care providers. As a nod towards CFS’ appreciation of community care workers, CFS took the first step of sponsoring the first Tranche of Staff Appreciation to boosting staff morale and welfare.

Through CFS’ new community impact fund, the Sayang Sayang Fund, CFS was able to fundraise and provide targeted support for vulnerable communities impacted by the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Keeping seniors safe was one key priority. CFS’ timely and forthcoming support helped Community Care providers focus on managing the situation and safeguarding the interests and wellbeing of seniors.

Bolstering the Sector

With almost $8 million raised through the Sayang Sayang Fund, CFS’ work helped to provide more donations for the sector. This has greatly enabled community care providers to provide sustained support to their beneficiaries amidst the COVID-19 situation.

“When CFS worked on supporting the vulnerable in the community during the pandemic, winning an award was the last thing on our minds,” says Catherine Loh, CEO of CFS, “While it is wonderful to receive positive affirmation, what is more valuable is the great partnership we have struck up with AIC to realise our objectives of improving the quality of life of our people.”

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

John Doe

The competition was organised by City Harvest Community Services Association and received support from FUN! Fund, a Community Impact Fund jointly established by the Community Foundation of Singapore and the Agency for Integrated Care, with the aim of addressing social isolation among the elderly.

Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of National Development Mr Tan Kiat How attended the event. He encouraged the elderly to stay physically and mentally well, as well as urging them to participate in community activities and enjoy their golden years together.

Learn more about FUN! Fund at https://www.cf.org.sg/fun-fund/.

The programme provides the children with a non-threatening platform to connect with peers and have positive conversations. In addition, it exposes them to different people who can assist to broaden their perspectives.
L.S., a volunteer with the Reading Odyssey programme @ Spooner Road

中心“常胜将军”胡锦盛：比赛限时反应要快

现年92岁的胡锦盛是最年长的参赛者。自2017年退休后，他几乎每天都到活跃乐龄中心报到，从此爱上了玩拉密，每次可玩上三个小时，在中心是“常胜将军”。

Related Topics For You: ACCESSING QUALITY EDUCATION, CHARITY STORIES, DONOR STORIES, DONOR-ADVISED FUND, EDUCATION, FAMILIES, INCLUSIVITY & INTEGRATION, LEGACY GIVING, NEWS, STORIES OF IMPACT, YOUTH

admin bluecube

News

联合早报: 领导基金会教师奖得主: 激发特需学生学习兴趣比成绩更重要

John Doe

胡洁梅 18 October 2016

特别学校教师郭正才利用乐高让学生创作动画，也利用机器人等来提高学生的学习兴趣。对他而言，学生享受学习过程并从中激发他们的好奇心，这比学生的成品更为重要。

郭正才（33岁）在特别需求者协会东陵学校（APSN Tanglin School）任教，是今年领导基金会教师奖的得主之一。

Press Release: The Community Foundation of Singapore Ushers in a New Era of Philanthropy

Wheelchair-bound individuals enjoying a day at the zoo

Outing for Seniors Community Impact Fund – Bringing seniors out to improve their well-being

A woman tenderly assisting another women lying in a bed, providing care and support to ensure their well-being.

Migrants Emergency Assistance and Support (MEANS) Community Impact Fund – Helping migrant worker in need

领导基金会教师奖（The Leading Foundation Teacher Award)自前年起颁发，目的是肯定学前教育工作者、特别需求教师和教育协作人员（Allied Educator）在专业领域的卓越表现。

该基金会由新加坡政府投资公司集团总裁林祥源与女儿林华敏设立，基金会目的是支持教育与领袖培养项目，特别是肯定学前和特别教育工作者的贡献。林祥源曾在不同政府部门任要职，包括公务员首长、教育部常任秘书。

今年共有四人得奖，另三人是人民行动党社区基金会（PCF）Sparkletots学前教育中心教师帕敏吉（Parvinjit Kaur）和扎希拉（Zahirah Bte Surian），以及圣加俾尔中学教育协作员贾雅然（Jeyaram s/o Kadivan）。

郭正才踏入特别教育工作五年，对他而言，获奖是种肯定，但最大的成就感莫过于看到特需学生的才华获得他人赞赏。

他分享说，今年中带领几名学生到新加坡科技设计大学举办的“制汇节”（Maker Faire）参展，由学生介绍他们的三维打印作品。参观者在反馈单中反映对学生作品的欣赏，好些公众表示并没发觉他们是来自特别学校。

他说：“看到学生能够独立，在公众面前展现自信并获得肯定，我更加确信我的（职业）选择是正确的。”

特别需求者协会东陵学校的学生主要患有轻微智力障碍，郭正才是推动科技教学的其中一名教师。他认为，学生在制作机器人（robotics）等时能应用数学和科学概念，激发他们的思考能力和好奇心，学习也更有趣。

另一名得奖教师帕敏吉（36岁）曾是骨科矫形外科助理，因为喜欢与孩童互动，六年前到PCF Sparkletots学前教育中心（兀兰第677座）教书，边工作边进修学前教育课程。她间中也曾到AWWA的特别教育学校工作一年。

她说：“每当看到孩子的笑容，或听他们和我分享故事，我就觉得很欣慰。”

颁奖仪式由国立教育学院和新加坡社会基金会联办，新加坡社会基金会是管理领导基金会的非营利机构。评审来自国立教育学院、教育部和新加坡幼儿教师协会。今年的得奖教师可获得1350元现金和奖状。

Donations to CFS increased by 60% over the past two years

March 27, 2024

John Doe

Over two years, the number of Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) managed by the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) has increased from 162 to 235, and total donations received since inception has risen from $192 million to $311 million. As of 31 December 2023, CFS has disbursed over $169 million in grants, a big jump from the $114 million disbursed as of 31 March 2021.

Speaking to Zaobao, CEO Ms Catherine Loh, shared that one reason for the significant increase in donations was due to a few large donations exceeding $10 million over the past three years. She also highlighted the introduction of Legacy Giving by CFS, and the organisation’s efforts to work more closely with financial and legal advisors to promote philanthropy. Notably, about 15% of CFS’s DAFs are memorial in nature, including the recently established Adrian Tan Memorial Fund in 2023.

Learn more about our DAFs at https://cf.org.sg/donors/donor-advised-funds/.

Press Release: The Community Foundation of Singapore Appoints New CEO

Philanthropic donations jumped 96%, Low Tuck Kwong Foundation the largest giver

Man starts charitable fund with close to $100k in life savings left by his nanny

过去两年多，新加坡社区基金会管理的慈善基金从162个增至235个，善款从1亿9200万元提高到3亿1100万元，增约六成，显示国人对慈善的意识不断提高。

截至2023年12月31日，新加坡社区基金会（The Community Foundation of Singapore，简称基金会）发放的善款超过1亿6900万元，比截至2021年3月31日的超过1亿1400万元多，造福更多人。

新加坡社区基金会总裁罗佩仪答复《联合早报》询问时说，过去三年，基金会接到几个超过1000万元的慈善基金，这是善款增加的其中原因。

另一原因是因为基金会积极推广遗赠项目，并且与财务专员和律师更紧密合作，让更多人认识基金项目，所以取得积极成效。

基金会在2008年成立，通过可持续、妥善和具透明度的方式，协助个人、家庭或企业设立或管理慈善基金。

捐款者能以自己、家人或公司名义设立基金，或为逝者设立基金。遗赠可包括现金、提名基金会为受益人的保险赔付或公积金存款，以及有价证券或房地产等。

捐赠者可指定受惠者，基金会将与相关慈善团体配对，制定有效的行善策略。

基金会与超过400个慈善伙伴合作，协助对象广泛，包括孩童、年长者、客工或社会边缘人，援助范围包括医疗、教育、艺术和动物福利等。

罗佩仪说，基金会管理的“捐献者指示基金”（Donor Advised Funds）分三类，一种是捐赠基金（Endowment fund），慈善资产将永久保存在社区基金会并进行投资，投资收益直接用在所选择支持的慈善机构和项目。

第二种属于流转基金（Flow-Through Fund），在特定时期内支持个人选定、所喜爱的慈善机构和项目，占总指示基金约75%。另一种是可投资流转基金（Investible Flow-Through Fund），捐款用于投资，投资回报和本金都可用于个人选择的慈善事业。

捐献者指示基金目前最大款项超过2000万元

在捐献者指示基金中，目前款项最大的超过2000万元，而总指示基金也有约15%属于纪念性质的基金，包括去年设立的陈锦海纪念基金。

她说，陈锦海纪念基金是陈锦海妻子为了向亡夫致敬，并支持他生前热衷的慈善事业而设的。

“纪念基金是缅怀亲人的绝佳方式。我们当中的许多人都是读陈锦海的书长大的，很荣幸能与陈太太合作向他致敬。陈锦海纪念基金确保他的遗赠得以延续，支持他生前关心的公益事业。”

罗佩仪也指出，可投资流转基金是一种新的基金类型，“我们看到捐助者的需求不断增加，他们希望利用捐款投资获取回报，并灵活使用捐款和投资回报，支持所选择的慈善机构。”

已故前总统纳丹生前设立“纳丹教育提升基金”

已故前总统纳丹于2011年卸下总统职务时，通过社区基金会，以他的名义设立“纳丹教育提升基金”。

属于捐赠基金的纳丹教育提升基金，两年多前累积逾1000万元资金。

纳丹生前委任一个拨款咨询委员会，负责就基金可支持的项目提供建议，通过助学金、奖学金，以及各项经济援助计划，支持工艺教育局以下工艺教育学院和高等教育学府的贫困学生顺利升学。纳丹2016年逝世，享年92岁。

This article was originally published in Zaobao here. Source: Zaobao © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

Related Topics For You: ACCESSING QUALITY EDUCATION, CHARITY STORIES, DONOR STORIES, DONOR-ADVISED FUND, EDUCATION, FAMILIES, INCLUSIVITY & INTEGRATION, LEGACY GIVING, NEWS, STORIES OF IMPACT, YOUTH

admin bluecube

News

BLLNR: How to donate time and money to a charity effectively

John Doe

While the notion of giving is indeed widespread, it isn’t easy to commit to help those in need when you find yourself caught up in today’s ever-changing environment.

The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) is one such organisation that facilitates this line of work by bridging donors with causes of interest to develop programmes and provide grants to enrich lives. It values the 3 C’s to make giving better: connect donors with respective causes, collaborate with charities and commit to managing donor funds.

Opening Doors: Making Education Accessible to Vulnerable Children and Youth

Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Fund – Nurturing future generations of musicians

A group of musicians passionately performing on stage, captivating the audience with their melodious tunes.

Celebrating the journey home through music

One woman has managed to significantly grow the number of donor funds and volume of donations, paving the way for an effective philanthropy — Catherine Loh, the Chief Executive Officer of CFS, believes in the heart of giving. However, her arrival into the philanthropy space was not immediate but serendipitous.