The Straits Times Archives

What does philanthropy have to do with drone football?

This article was contributed by Paul Tan, CEO of the Community Foundation of Singapore, and published by The Straits Times.A group of white-haired men and women, including one in a wheelchair, have clustered in a room and are focusing on plastic balls flying in the air. Inside each ball is actually a drone operated by a senior and the participants are trying to outmanoeuvre each other and get their drones into the circular goal. Although this is just a training session, there are broad smiles when someone scores and the occasional shout of “Goal!”

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

A foundation named after Singapore-born coal tycoon Low Tuck Kwong is the top private giver in a list of Singapore’s 10 biggest philanthropic organisations in terms of donations given.The Low Tuck Kwong Foundation, set up in December 2022, gave $127.6 million in 2023 to educational and healthcare causes.

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

A tech investor was shocked to find out that his majie, or nanny, left him her life savings of close to $100,000 when she died.To honour her, the 41-year-old, who wanted to be known only as Mr Lim, used the money to set up a charitable fund in her name with the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) in 2023.

New office for S’poreans to partner the Government and give ideas

CFS is pleased to be a part of Forward SG, as we build our shared future, together.We know that collective effort – through financial support, knowledge-sharing, and community collaboration – is the bedrock of a stronger, more inclusive society.

Two female individuals can be seen in the picture, both dressed in red shirts and holding a volleyball ball.

Trina Liang-Lin takes over as Netball Singapore chief, pledges to bring in more financial support

CFS’s Board Director, Trina Liang-Lin, is the new President of Netball Singapore. She highlights the need to address the underrepresentation of sports in philanthropic efforts and aims to change this trend by amplifying the core values of sports. Contact us to learn more on how you can support Singapore’s sports communities.Sporting bodies are usually not beneficiaries of philanthropic groups, but Netball Singapore’s new president Trina Liang-Lin hopes that will change by “amplifying” sport’s values.

A woman diligently operating a computer amidst the bustling environment of a factory, focused on her tasks.

Tertiary-educated adults with autism receive training for jobs in engineering sector

Tertiary-educated adults with autism are being trained and placed in jobs in the engineering sector under a new programme by research and technology non-profit organisation Trampolene.The Gates (Growing Autistic Talent for Engineering Sector) programme was started in May 2022, after research showed that people with autism have one of the lowest employment rates among people with disabilities.

Budget 2023: Govt to extend 250% tax deduction for donations until 2026

Singapore will extend its tax deduction rate for donations for another three years until the end of 2026, as part of efforts to foster and sustain a spirit of giving.Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday that this will be done although the tax deduction for donations at 250 per cent is
already very high compared with other jurisdictions.

$1.35M Fund Set Up For Community Care Groups To Develop Fun Activities For Seniors

Seniors can look forward to more activities to ease their loneliness and social isolation, thanks to a new $1.35 million fund that community care organisations can tap.At the launch of the fund on Friday at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront hotel, Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) chief executive Tan Kwang Cheak said social isolation among the elderly is a key concern as it is linked with poor physical and mental health.

Fewer homeless people sleeping on S’pore streets last year; city area has highest number

The number of homeless people in Singapore fell slightly last year, at a time when homelessness was on the rise in many countries amid the Covid-19 pandemic.But the issue of homelessness also became less visible, as more people who would have slept on the streets went to stay at temporary shelters.

More philanthropy funds focusing on climate change needed: Reports

To support green causes and efforts to further climate action, Mr David Heng, chief executive of a private equity fund, set up the Mind the Gap 200 – Sustainable Earth fund in 2019.It is part of a project Mr Heng, who is in his 50s, undertook with nine friends and the Community Foundation of Singapore.

The Straits Times