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Sayang Sayang Fund: new initiatives

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Home Resources News Sayang Sayang Fund: new initiatives

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Sayang Sayang Fund: new initiatives

John Doe

The Community Foundation of Singapore today gave an update on the fund raising efforts for the Sayang Sayang Fund (SSF) and announced new initiatives that the Fund will support. One of these initiatives is an extension of the previously announced SeniorsOK@Home programme – CapitaLand #LoveOurSeniors – in collaboration with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). CapitaLand Hope Foundation will be donating $700,000 towards this new programme. This will be on top of the $3 million goal CFS has set earlier.

Todate, SSF has received $1.1 million in donations and pledges of about $1 million. The Fund is still a distance away from the goal it set for end April. As the COVID-19 pandemic escalates, there are new needs emerging from the community and the funds raised will allow the Sayang Sayang Fund to address emerging needs quickly.

Ensuring A Brighter Future for Vulnerable Families and Children

Group of elderly sitting around a round table

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

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Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of Singapore, Ms Catherine Loh, said, “Singaporeans have been very generous and we are so touched and grateful that many donors – individuals and corporates — have come forward to donate when they hear about the Fund. I would like to encourage everyone else to come together and support the Sayang Sayang Fund, to meet the gaps in the community.

UPDATE ON INITIATIVES

1. SeniorsOK@Home
SeniorOK@Home will provide for immediate aid like food, necessities and medical supplies to seniors with limited mobility and confined at home. It also provides for digital solutions, such as video conferencing, and online recreational activities for seniors at home, to minimise social isolation. For centre-based charities who are providing essential services, CFS is funding disinfection and sanitisation of premises, as well as additional manpower to maintain the standard and quality of care for the seniors.

2. CapitaLand #LoveOurSeniors
With the rise of cases from nursing homes, the Sayang Sayang Fund has curated an extension to SeniorsOK@Home – the CapitaLand #LoveOurSeniors. CapitaLand Hope Foundation will be donating $700,000 towards this new programme, which will support community care providers with personal protection equipment and disinfection of the premises if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19. The contribution will also go towards a preparedness fund: to keep the vulnerable seniors engaged, as well as to appreciate the hard work and dedication of community care staff. AIC will be executing the programme.

3. SafeSleep@Home
Given the rapid increase in cases, there is also urgent concern for the rough sleepers in Singapore. The 2019 homeless survey published by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy indicated that there are about 1,000 homeless persons living in the streets. They are now all at-risk and need to find immediate shelter during the circuit breaker. SafeSleep@Home is an initiative to aid 500 rough sleepers find temporary lodgings, daily necessities and food supplies.

About Sayang Sayang Fund

The Fund provides care and support for vulnerable communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. By convening the community and acting together, the Fund can help community partners move their essential work forward in this critical moment and support the individuals and families hit hardest by the impacts of COVID-19 and associated containment efforts.

The additional $3.7 million the Fund hopes to raise will support local charities and non-profits whose programmes and proposals meet three key objectives:

1. Provide emergency response funds that enable immediate and short-term relief for individuals and families from marginalised communities adversely affected by the COVID-19 situation.
2. Provide innovation solutions and research that address current and emerging needs to combat the COVID-19 situation.
3. Build capabilities for charitable organisations so that their clients can continue to access essential support and assistance during the COVID-19 situation.

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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: CAREGIVER SUPPORT, CHARITY STORIES, COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND, DONOR STORIES, FAMILIES, INCLUSIVITY & INTEGRATION, NEWS, SAYANG SAYANG FUND, SENIORS, STORIES OF IMPACT

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News

Our Annual Report 2021 is now available for download

John Doe

We are pleased to share that the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) Annual Report 2021 has been published. Download your copy here to learn more about the year’s highlights and our impact on the community.

Even as the pandemic gripped our nation, we are humbled to report that – together with our donors, charities, and partners – CFS delivered a year of bold action and made tremendous progress on our mission to facilitate impactful giving.

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Standing man in blue shirt with wooden wall backdrop.

Including the Excluded: Everyone Plays a Part

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CFS delivered a record of $24 million in grants – the highest since our inception – disbursed to 291 organisations and 13 individuals, and a total of $5.7 million via the establishment of 19 new funds for the financial year ended 31 March 2021.

The Annual Report contains the following information:

Corporate Information
Key Highlights
Forward Vision
Governance and Policies
Financial Statements
Grantees List

Regarding the year under review, the report reflects the information contained in CFS’ annual results, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements.

CFS stands ready to work alongside all of you to champion greater giving and create a better world for future generations. To find out more about CFS, get in touch with us.

About CFS

The Community Foundation of Singapore is a non-profit organisation founded in 2008 to encourage and enable philanthropy in Singapore. We match donors’ interests with causes and offer ways for them to make a greater impact through their charitable funds. We also collaborate with charity partners to identify and develop programmes that support diverse communities.

Related Topics For You: CAREGIVER SUPPORT, CHARITY STORIES, COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND, DONOR STORIES, FAMILIES, INCLUSIVITY & INTEGRATION, NEWS, SAYANG SAYANG FUND, SENIORS, STORIES OF IMPACT

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Stories Of Impact

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

John Doe

A joint initiative by UBS AG and the Community Foundation of Singapore, Diversity in Abilities is a stage production and art exhibition showcase to bring performing and visual arts lessons to special education schools in Singapore.

The aim was to motivate and inspire children with special needs to learn new skills and inculcate new hobbies through the arts. With the help of trained artists, students took a 16-week journey of learning and discovery of talents and achievements in film, music, dance, drama and visual arts.

Giving back to society without fuss, the Singaporean way

Bright moon illuminating serene city park.

The Funding Network (TFN)

Wheelchair-bound individuals enjoying a day at the zoo

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

These kids were then invited to showcase their talents at an exhibition and concert, performing together with children of UBS employees. At the event, UBS employees also got involved as make-up artists, receptionists, ushers and auctioneers.

“UBS has been in Singapore for nearly 40 years and our community investments focus on education and entrepreneurship. The Diversity in Abilities arts programme is one such initiative. We hope that through our investment in these various initiatives, we can make a contribution to the success of Singapore as a community.” said Edmund Koh, Singapore Country Head and Asia Pacific Head of Wealth Management, UBS.

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John Doe

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

Related Topics For You: CAREGIVER SUPPORT, CHARITY STORIES, COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND, DONOR STORIES, FAMILIES, INCLUSIVITY & INTEGRATION, NEWS, SAYANG SAYANG FUND, SENIORS, STORIES OF IMPACT

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Stories Of Impact

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

October 8, 2024

Charities often struggle to secure funding for capacity and capability building, as donors tend to prioritise direct programme support over long-term infrastructure development. Yet, enhancing these areas is crucial for sustaining financial health, delivering effective and reliable services, and increasing their overall impact. Recognising this, the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) partnered with the Bluejacket Foundation in November 2022 to launch a two-year pilot initiative—the Capacity and Capability Building Grant—designed to support growth of charities and equip them for greater community contributions.

Charity partners and donors from Bluejacket Foundation gathered at Society for the Aged Sick for a roundtable discussion.

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Set up during the covid-19 pandemic, Sayang Sayang Fund raised $9.7m over three years, supporting over 400,000 lives
应疫情设立 Sayang Sayang基金三年筹970万元惠及40万人

The grant currently supports six charities, assisting them in retaining and recruiting essential talent, optimising resources, boosting efficiency, and expanding their impact.

The Bluejacket Foundation’s Mission

The Bluejacket Foundation was established by a family-owned shipping business, with ‘Bluejacket’ being a nod to sailors’ traditional blue uniforms. During the pandemic, their business persisted due to the relentless efforts of their crew, many of whom were stuck on ships for up to a year because of restrictions. Reflecting this dedication, the Foundation seeks to aid the committed individuals who work hard to keep charities and non-profits’ engines running.

As Mr. Teo, the Foundation’s representative explained, “In partnership with the Community Foundation of Singapore, the Capacity and Capability Building Grant supports the development and retention of talent, ensuring charities have the essential workforce to carry out their vital work.”

Bridging the Gaps: A Roundtable on Charity Needs

The roundtable highlighted benefits and key gaps in current funding options.

To help the donors gain deeper insights into the evolving needs of the social service sector, CFS organised a roundtable discussion between the Bluejacket Foundation and the charities supported by the grant. At the discussion, charities candidly shared their experiences with existing funding options, highlighting both the benefits and the critical gaps that need to be addressed.

Charities in Singapore have access to various grants, such as the Community Silver Trust (CST), the Career Conversion Programme for Social Workers (CCP), the Professional Capability Grant (PCG), the Care and Share Grant, and the Community Capability Trust (CCT). These grants support workforce training, staff development, and organisational growth, which have been extremely helpful for enhancing service delivery and building organisational capacity.

However, despite the available funding opportunities, certain needs remain unmet:

Increasing Need for Robust Backend Services: Existing grants usually focus on front-end programmes and manpower training. As services expand and governance requirements increase, charities face challenges in maintaining robust backend support systems, including HR, IT, finance, fundraising, and marketing. Manpower in these areas is often strained as a result.
Securing Long-Term Funding in a Competitive Philanthropic Landscape: While government grants provide valuable financial assistance, charities must sustain themselves once the funding ends. Smaller charities, in particular, struggle to secure long-term funding in a competitive philanthropic environment.
Attracting Quality Leadership in the Social Services Sector: Effective leadership is essential for the sustainable development and growth of charities. However, attracting and retaining top-tier talent in C-level positions within the social services sector remains challenging due to compensation that often lags behind other industries. While many charity leaders bring invaluable passion and operational expertise, they may lack the broader leadership skills required to effectively manage and guide a charity organisation.

A Sustainable Solution: Many-Helping Hands Approach

It is clear that as the sector continues to evolve, a many-helping-hands approach—involving ongoing collaboration between charities, donors, and the government— is crucial in driving long-term sustainability and effectiveness. While government grants provide support, creating a diversified funding model is essential for long-term success. By fostering talent development and providing additional financial support, initiatives like the Capacity and Capability Building Grant can enable charities to focus on delivering their core missions, enhancing service quality, and addressing emerging community needs.

CFS is proud to be part of this journey of improving the social services sector alongside the Bluejacket Foundation.

Get Involved

CFS is a leading provider of donor-advised funds in Singapore, working with donors to establish and manage funds that align to their values. Contact us to learn how your support for charitable causes can make a greater impact.

References

Ang, B. L. (2016, February 22). Capacity and Capability Building. Ministry of Social and Family Development. https://www.msf.gov.sg/what-we-do/odgsw/social-insights/2016-Capacity-and-Capability
Khalik, S. (2024, February 14). Salary guidelines to help community care sector be more competitive in retaining talent. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/salary-guidelines-for-community-care-sector-to-help-it-be-more-competitive-in-getting-workers

Related Topics For You: CAREGIVER SUPPORT, CHARITY STORIES, COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND, DONOR STORIES, FAMILIES, INCLUSIVITY & INTEGRATION, NEWS, SAYANG SAYANG FUND, SENIORS, STORIES OF IMPACT

Opinion

How Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) present an innovative and structured solution to Singapore’s philanthropic landscape

John Doe

A history of giving in Singapore and its philanthropic landscape

Philanthropy has seen an evolution over the years, which saw a corresponding increase in family support services due to the development of more HDBs to house our growing population.

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As the philanthropic landscape developed and progressed, there was a more targeted response in the 90s by philanthropists seeking to fill in the gaps in philanthropy and wanting to have more of a say in order to shake up the system.

As a result, CFS was founded to promote philanthropy, seeing as philanthropists were stepping up and starting family foundations, and how Singapore has a very active philanthropy landscape in spite of its size.

To date, the current number of charities in Singapore stands at over 2000. However, it was not only charities that received donations but also social enterprises and ground-up groups, especially during the Covid-19 period.

There are very stringent processes to achieve a charity status, charities in Singapore are generally well managed and of the 2000 charities, 600 have attained an IPC status.

“Singaporeans have also been extremely generous thus far, and gave a total of 1.9 billion in 2019. This generosity is an important focal point, as there is an onus and more incentives for charities to work directly with philanthropists and givers to come up with new and innovative programmes,” says Catherine, CEO of CFS.

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and CFS’s role as a community foundation in Singapore

CFS’s role as a community foundation in the philanthropic ecosystem is to enable philanthropy, foster giving and promote values such as the Legacy Giving Initiative (LGI). The LGI is a concept that anyone in Singapore, regardless of status and wealth, can leave a legacy by giving to a cause close to their heart.

As philanthropy continues to evolve, donors have become more discerning and want to know how the impact of their philanthropy is measured.

There is also a need for philanthropy in Singapore despite it being a wealthy city state, as there is still relative poverty and thus a need to uplift every segment of the nation. There are key issues that need support and funding in Singapore, three areas of which are our rapidly aging society, social income inequality, and inclusivity and sustainability; where people with disabilities and environmental issues need support.

CFS is also seeing an increase in international donors in Singapore, which could be Singaporeans looking to expand their overseas businesses in Singapore, or foreigners setting up family offices in Singapore.

By partnering with CFS, a donor can establish a named donor-advised fund (DAF), a modern philanthropy tool.

A DAF is a simple and cost-effective way to support a wide range of charities in Singapore. CFS will handle the fund administration and provide philanthropy advice to ensure that our donor’s giving makes a strategic impact to the causes that our donors support.

With a DAF, donors can enjoy upfront tax deductions in Singapore at the prevailing tax deduction rate1 on eligible donations.

1Subject to IRAS regulations.

How to get started?

DAFs can be set up by an individual, a beneficiary of a will, a trust, or by a family office.

CFS philanthropy advisors will inquire about the donor’s interests and leveraging on deep understanding of local issues and extensive network, CFS has unparalleled insight into Singapore’s charitable landscape and community needs to translate the donor’s interests and goals into a defined plan.

CFS handles all the administration required in managing the DAF, donors will save on legal expenses and enjoy tax deductions upfront. Donors will also receive regular statements tracking incoming donations to the DAF and outgoing disbursements to charities.

CEO Catherine Loh gives a WMI-GFO Circle Impact Masterclass on CFS’s role in philanthropy in Singapore

CFS’s CEO Catherine Loh was invited as a guest speaker and part of the panel to speak about CFS and philanthropy in a WMI-GFO Circle Impact Masterclass webinar organised by the Wealth Management Institute (WMI) titled ‘Global Giving, Asian Innovation’.

The webinar’s aim is to address how philanthropy can support the greatest issues of our times, including issues stemming from ever-rising income inequality and climate change, to the health of our civil society and the pandemic.

The panel presentation hopes to empower family office principals, representatives and philanthropy advisors to help their clients achieve their philanthropic goals, and offer best practices, tips, and considerations for advisors serving philanthropists and their family offices.

If you would like to begin your giving journey with CFS, get in touch with us.