Events

Lunar New Year celebrations and collaborations 2017

Events

Home Resources Events Lunar New Year celebrations and collaborations 2017

Events

Lunar New Year celebrations and collaborations 2017

John Doe

This year, CFS’s annual appreciation lunch was held on 8 February at the Regent Singapore. Some 120 guests attended the event which is CFS’s way of saying ‘thank you’ to our donors, charities and partners for their unwavering support. True to the spirit of celebrations, there were happy handshakes, endless conversations and a festive, convivial atmosphere all around. Donors met charity partners, old friends made new friends.

National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) joined CFS as co-host this year as we launched Colabs – a learning network that brings together different stakeholders in the giving system to enable greater and deeper social impact. Chairpersons Laurence Lien and Mildred Tan and CEOs Catherine Loh and Melissa Kwee of CFS and NVPC respectively put their collective signatures on the Colabs board to kickstart this exciting initiative. It is hoped that more signatures will be gathered as we embark on this collaborative journey.

Ensuring A Brighter Future for Vulnerable Families and Children

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

As CFS CEO Catherine Loh said in her thank you speech, it is through the many collaborations between donors and partners that CFS has been able to enable so many impactful programmes through the years. We certainly look forward to many more ahead.

Related Topics For You: CHARITY STORIES, COLABS, COLLECTIVES, DONOR STORIES, EVENTS

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Social Space issue 8: Collective philanthropy – the strength of giving together

John Doe

By Rob John
“Giving to charity has never been a solitary activity in any culture. People have joined together to give for millennia. In Asia, clan associations, religious groups or just friends have enjoyed the benefits of giving as a group. But there appears to be a renaissance of collective giving with the advent of more organised, strategic and outcome-focused philanthropy. At the Asia Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy (ACSEP) where I am presently based, our research team’s curiosity about giving circles was first piqued when investigating the nature of innovation in Asian philanthropy in 2012. In that study, we reported several initiatives where individuals pooled their resources and jointly selected a non-profit organisation to fund. Since then, the number and variety of giving circle models have increased across the region, leading me to believe that giving circles will contribute significantly to the development of philanthropy in Asia over the coming decade.”

Read more about ‘Collective Philanthropy, the Strength of Giving Together’ on Pg 19 of Issue 8 of Social Space.

Giving back to society without fuss, the Singaporean way

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)

Related Topics For You: CHARITY STORIES, COLABS, COLLECTIVES, DONOR STORIES, EVENTS

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News

Lianhe Zaobao: CFS has helped donors set up more than 80 funds in the past 8 years

John Doe

胡洁梅 14 November 2016

从资助年长者活动的基金，到帮助工艺教育学院学生的“纳丹教育提升基金”，新加坡社会基金会协助设立的基金从八年前的七个，蓬勃发展至目前的80多个，支持各类公益项目。

年设立的慈善机构新加坡社会基金会（The Community Foundation of Singapore）旨在为善长仁翁提供咨询服务，协助他们成立基金推展公益活动，并管理基金。捐款者须承诺至少20万元来设立基金。

Building a Legacy: Michael Binger’s Philanthropic Journey in Singapore

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

基金会总裁罗佩仪在回顾基金会的发展时指出，更多有经济能力的个人和家庭希望能回馈社会，却没有时间和资源来设立基金会。“ 社会基金会希望为善长仁翁提供一站式咨询，协助他们管理基金，并确保良好且高素质的监管水平。”

她说，更多有经济能力的家庭推动慈善事业，把它当作教育下一代社会责任的方式。近年就有更多家庭找上社会基金会，要求协助以家人名义设立基金。

不过这类捐款者一般保持低调的捐款方式，谢绝受访。

罗佩仪受询时透露：“尽管经济增长放缓，基金会今年的捐款额增长率仍持稳。受经济影响，加上去年SG50庆祝活动和优惠（捐款税务回扣300％），去年收到的捐款额其实比较多，不过基金会今年也迎来新的捐款者，因为他们明白在当前的经济情况下，更需要帮助有需者，因此整体的捐款情况仍不错。”

至今，社会基金会已协助设立80多个基金，发放4200万元，支持不同慈善项目，合作的慈善团体有超过400个。

基金会根据捐款者想支持的公益项目类别，协助成立基金，让相关志愿组织机构利用。虽然多数捐款者支持的项目普遍针对年长者、体障、教育事业等，但已逐渐以较新颖的方式推行，不局限于颁发奖学金和助学金。

退休商人伯德（William Bird）与妻子设立的基金资助一些机构为年长者举办郊游活动等，过去六年已有50多个乐龄护理中心获益。

SymAsia是另一个协助捐献者以个人或公司名义设立基金、并在本地注册的基金会，由瑞士信贷（Credit Suisse）管理。这也是亚太区唯一由银行经营的捐献者指示基金会（Donor Advised Fund）。捐献者须承诺至少100万元设立基金。

瑞信亚太区家族办公室服务兼慈善顾问董事洪智聪指出，自2010 年设立以来，SymAsia基金会截至去年10月已有约8000万元捐款支持亚太区的300多个慈善机构。SymAsia旨在支持人道和社会发展项目、自然保护、教育、文化等方面的公益事业。

Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Fund – Nurturing future generations of musicians

John Doe

Goh Soon Tioe (1911–1982) is remembered as one of Singapore’s greatest musical pioneers. Besides being an accomplished violinist, conductor and teacher, he brought hundreds of international performers to the Singapore stage. He also took the Singapore Youth Symphony Orchestra on successful tours around the world.

In 2011, in celebration of his birth centenary year, his family established an endowment fund with the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) to support talented young classical musicians who wish to build a career in music.

Improving Employability: Creating Opportunities for All

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

Celebrating the journey home through music

Cellist wins Goh Soon Tioe Award

The Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Fund is managed by CFS and awards scholarships to young Singapore musicians with a consistent track record of outstanding musicianship and performance. Winners include guitarist Kevin Loh, violinists Joey Lau, Mathea Goh, Alan Choo and Helena Dawn Yah, double bassist Julian Li Yongrui and cellist Theophilus Tan.

On the motivation for starting the fund, his daughter Cultural Medallion winner Vivien Goh said, “I decided to establish an award in memory of my father when I was inspired by CFS’ stories of how endowed funds could help deserving individuals achieve their goals and dreams.”

Photos: Adrian Tee and Gilbert Chan of Pixelmusica, Singapore Press Holdings, winners.

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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: CHARITY STORIES, COLABS, COLLECTIVES, DONOR STORIES, EVENTS

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Events

Donor Learning Trip Series: The Art of Mental Well-Being

John Doe

This initiative is part of CFS’s Donor Learning Trips, a series of engagement opportunities that enable donors to personally connect with charities and gain insights into how they support communities in need.

On the afternoon of October 19, 2023, 17 of our donors visited the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and learned about the work they do.

Strengthening Social Services: The Bluejacket Foundation’s Commitment to Capacity and Capability Building

Coutts million dollar donor report 2015

Company of Good

Established in 1968, SAMH has been a stalwart in Singapore’s mental health community, improving the lives of persons with mental health issues through rehabilitation and reintegration.

SAMH Space2Connect is a newly established integrated wellness centre that provides mental health services to individuals aged 10 and above, families, and communities. The centre aims to empower clients, improving their well-being and walking with them on their road to recovery; while also serving as a collaborative hub for partners to come together and strengthen community mental health and resilience.

Confronting the realities of youth mental health

SAMH strives to destigmatise mental health amidst rising numbers of youths requiring support, encouraging them to seek help. Statistics highlight the severity of the issue, with suicide being the primary cause of death among 10 to 29-year-olds in Singapore in recent years. According to Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), out of the 476 suicides in 2022, 125 involved those in this age group. This is 13 more than in 2021 and the highest since 2000, which marks SOS’ earliest recorded data.

A substantial number of youths admit they are grappling with mental health symptoms, emphasising the pressing need for support. A recent study conducted by the National University of Singapore reported that one in 10, or 12% of adolescents met full diagnostic criteria for having at least one current mental health disorder. About one in three youth in Singapore reported internalising mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety and loneliness, with those aged 14 to 16 reporting more serious symptoms. Meanwhile, roughly one in six young people said they experienced externalising mental health symptoms, such as hyperactivity, rule-breaking and aggression.

Through the afternoon, donors heard beneficiaries tell their stories and toured the space. They learnt how their contributions have supported youths particularly through SAMH YouthReach, which offers psychosocial support and recovery programmes for youths aged 12 to 21 facing emotional, psychological, and psychiatric issues. Mental health recovery is often not linear, and SAMH provides ongoing support for clients beyond treatment completion.

“It was inspiring to learn how our giving was making a difference to the lives of the youths supported by SAMH YouthReach, and to understand more about the good work that SAMH is doing,” said a donor from the CKY Foundation, who has been giving with CFS since 2022 after being introduced by the Economic Development Board.

“CFS has helped us work towards our philanthropic goals by making an impact across a range of causes and charities through the insights provided by our fund’s dedicated philanthropy advisor. It is heartening to witness the impact of one’s philanthropy in person, and to meet the people that you have helped.”

A place for community and self-expression

In addition to learning about SAMH’s programmes and services, donors had a chance to experience a therapeutic art activity for themselves as they joined two young adult clients of SAMH YouthReach in an interactive hands-on session. Through the fun, laughter and unleashed creativity, they discovered the potential of creative pursuits as a tool for promoting mental wellbeing.

With funding support, SAMH plans to expand their outreach further, with initiatives focusing on the impact of sleep, nutrition and movement on mental health.

We are grateful for the opportunity to meet the CFS donors, showcase SAMH facilities and programmes to them, and facilitate direct engagement with our beneficiaries. Their contributions empower us in our mission to help and support individuals in our community who face mental health challenges

Ms Ngo Lee Yian, Executive Director of SAMH

CFS would like to express our deep appreciation to SAMH for the remarkable work that they do, and acknowledge our donors for their invaluable support. To find out more about how you can contribute, visit https://www.cf.org.sg/giving/ways-to-give/

References:

HIGHEST RECORDED SUICIDE NUMBERS IN SINGAPORE SINCE 2000

https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PRESS-RELEASE-YEAR-Study-26APR2023-IMMEDIATE-RELEASE.pdf

In 2023, CFS proudly marks our 15-year milestone on a journey dedicated to empowering donors to create meaningful impact. Since its establishment in 2008, we have received over S$292 million in donations and disbursed over S$157 million in grants to support more than 400 charitable partners in Singapore. Join us in shaping a brighter future for worthy causes by becoming a valued donor. Your contribution can make a substantial difference.