Driving Purpose: CFS and NVPC Join Forces to Strengthen Corporate Giving
The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) recently co-hosted a lively dialogue that brought business and social leaders together to explore how corporations can lead with purpose and create lasting impact.
The event – titled Philanthropy and the Corporate Sector: Discovering the Future of Giving – underscored efforts by CFS and NVPC to nurture a stronger culture of corporate giving in Singapore – one that goes beyond writing cheques, to embedding purpose and empathy at the heart of business strategy.
Building a Stronger Ecosystem for Corporate Giving
In his opening address, our Chief Executive Officer Paul Tan reaffirmed CFS’ mission to help corporate donors achieve purposeful, structured giving. As Singapore’s longest-serving community foundation, we help companies translate their values into sustained impact through donor-advised funds (DAFs) and strategic grantmaking.
Paul highlighted that he sees more companies seeking holistic ways to align business success with social responsibility. “By working with us, corporates can benefit from tailored philanthropic advisory that transforms their organisational goals into a defined giving plan,” he explained.
NVPC Chief Operating Officer Tony Lai highlighted how the two organisations complement one another – with CFS serving as a philanthropic intermediary that connects donors to causes, and NVPC acting as a national enabler of volunteerism and corporate giving.
Together, CFS and NVPC are building a more cohesive ecosystem for companies to design CSR strategies, measure impact, and collaborate across sectors – amplifying the collective good that businesses can achieve.
From Transactional Giving to Transformational Change
The panel discussion that followed inspired the audience to re-imagine corporate philanthropy as more than financial donations. Businesses were encouraged to contribute their Time, Talent, Treasure and Ties – extending beyond monetary giving to build genuine, long-term partnerships with the communities they serve.
Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh reminded that “in the midst of prosperity, too many families in Singapore are still struggling.” He urged corporates to walk alongside vulnerable families as true partners in change.
Ms Ang Bee Lian, Senior Adviser at the Ministry of Social and Family Development, emphasised that “something else happens in volunteering” noting that hands-on giving builds empathy and reveals hidden talents. She also noted that many lower-income families are “time poor” and encouraged companies to support initiatives that “give them back” time, such as assistance with caregiving duties. Mr Kwee Ker Fong, Director at Pontiac Land Group, shared examples of how businesses can embed giving into their DNA — from offering bursaries and internships to sharing staff expertise through mentorship and volunteering.
Their insights reflect the evolving mindset that CFS and NVPC are jointly championing: that doing good is no longer peripheral to business, but central to its purpose, people and performance.
Charting the Future of Corporate Giving
Every company, regardless of size or sector, has the potential to shape a more caring and resilient Singapore. The question is: how will your business choose to make its impact felt?
The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) recently co-hosted a lively dialogue that brought business and social leaders together to explore how corporations can lead with purpose and create lasting impact.
The event - titled Philanthropy and the Corporate Sector: Discovering the Future of Giving – underscored efforts by CFS and NVPC to nurture a stronger culture of corporate giving in Singapore – one that goes beyond writing cheques, to embedding purpose and empathy at the heart of business strategy.
Building a Stronger Ecosystem for Corporate Giving
In his opening address, our Chief Executive Officer Paul Tan reaffirmed CFS’ mission to help corporate donors achieve purposeful, structured giving. As Singapore’s longest-serving community foundation, we help companies translate their values into sustained impact through donor-advised funds (DAFs) and strategic grantmaking.
Paul highlighted that he sees more companies seeking holistic ways to align business success with social responsibility. “By working with us, corporates can benefit from tailored philanthropic advisory that transforms their organisational goals into a defined giving plan,” he explained.
NVPC Chief Operating Officer Tony Lai highlighted how the two organisations complement one another - with CFS serving as a philanthropic intermediary that connects donors to causes, and NVPC acting as a national enabler of volunteerism and corporate giving.
Together, CFS and NVPC are building a more cohesive ecosystem for companies to design CSR strategies, measure impact, and collaborate across sectors – amplifying the collective good that businesses can achieve.
From Transactional Giving to Transformational Change
The panel discussion that followed inspired the audience to re-imagine corporate philanthropy as more than financial donations. Businesses were encouraged to contribute their Time, Talent, Treasure and Ties – extending beyond monetary giving to build genuine, long-term partnerships with the communities they serve.
Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh reminded that “in the midst of prosperity, too many families in Singapore are still struggling.” He urged corporates to walk alongside vulnerable families as true partners in change.
Ms Ang Bee Lian, Senior Adviser at the Ministry of Social and Family Development, emphasised that “something else happens in volunteering” noting that hands-on giving builds empathy and reveals hidden talents. She also noted that many lower-income families are “time poor” and encouraged companies to support initiatives that “give them back” time, such as assistance with caregiving duties. Mr Kwee Ker Fong, Director at Pontiac Land Group, shared examples of how businesses can embed giving into their DNA — from offering bursaries and internships to sharing staff expertise through mentorship and volunteering.
Their insights reflect the evolving mindset that CFS and NVPC are jointly championing: that doing good is no longer peripheral to business, but central to its purpose, people and performance.
Charting the Future of Corporate Giving
Every company, regardless of size or sector, has the potential to shape a more caring and resilient Singapore. The question is: how will your business choose to make its impact felt?
- Related Topics For You: EVENTS, PARTNERSHIP STORIES, STORIES OF IMPACT
