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The Community Foundation of Singapore launches new Sayang Sayang Fund

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Home Resources News The Community Foundation of Singapore launches new Sayang Sayang Fund

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The Community Foundation of Singapore launches new Sayang Sayang Fund

John Doe

The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) has established Sayang Sayang Fund to provide support for frontline healthcare workers as well as vulnerable communities impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“Many people have approached us asking how they can help. They want to recognise and show appreciation to the healthcare staff who work tirelessly during this period of the novel coronavirus outbreak. As the only community foundation in Singapore, we are best placed to connect donors and community partners, and come together to support the needs of the communities,” said Catherine Loh, CEO of CFS.

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The target amount to be raised for the Sayang Sayang Fund is $500,000. $250,000 will be given in the form of $5 transport vouchers, as a gesture of appreciation, for healthcare frontline staff in public healthcare institutions such as hospitals and polyclinics to ease their commute to and from work. CFS has secured $84,000 in donations to-date. ComfortDelGro, the first transport provider to support the Fund, has pledged an initial batch of 1,000 taxi vouchers.

“We read with some distress that healthcare staff in uniforms have been ostracised, not just by the public but by the cabbies. Whilst we have yet to receive any complaints about such incidents, we want to reinforce the message that we appreciate all that the medical profession has been doing. Our gesture is small compared to what they have been contributing on a daily basis,” said Tammy Tan, Group Chief Corporate Communications Officer, ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited.

The remaining $250,000 will be disbursed across community partners supporting vulnerable communities such as seniors and families who are impacted by the heightened precautionary measures. CFS has received requests for funding to cover additional manpower costs for home visits for needy seniors and alternative food distribution channels to low income families.

Given the evolving nature of the situation, the Fund will adapt to the changing needs. CFS will work closely with community partners to address gaps ensuring that those in disadvantaged situations will still be able to get the aid they need.

The name Sayang Sayang is chosen because it is a local colloquial term that most people are familiar with. It is in line with the idea of showing love and appreciation to healthcare professionals who work hard to care for us, as well as to other communities who may be impacted by 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, DIRECT AID, DONOR STORIES, FAMILIES, HEALTH, INCLUSIVITY & INTEGRATION, NEWS, PROMOTING HEALTHCARE, SAYANG SAYANG FUND, SENIORS, STORIES OF IMPACT

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News

Posts of the late former Law Society President Adrian Tan has been published as a book
律师公会已故前会长陈锦海曾发表贴文已结集成书

March 27, 2024

John Doe

LinkedIn posts by the late Mr Adrian Tan have recently been compiled and published as a book, titled “If I were King of Singapore”.

All proceeds from the book will go to the Adrian Tan Memorial Fund, which is set up by Mrs Adrian Tan and managed by the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS).

This fund focuses on two primary causes that are close to Adrian’s heart: ensuring marginalised communities have access to legal services through Pro Bono SG and advocating the welfare of migrant workers.

Learn how CFS can support you in making an impact towards the causes that you care about: https://cf.org.sg/donors/how-we-assist-donors/.

LinkedIn posts by the late Mr Adrian Tan have recently been compiled and published as a book, titled “If I were King of Singapore”.

All proceeds from the book will go to the Adrian Tan Memorial Fund, which is set up by Mrs Adrian Tan and managed by the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS).

Learn how CFS can support you in making an impact towards the causes that you care about: https://cf.org.sg/donors/how-we-assist-donors/.

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

Donations to CFS increased by 60% over the past two years
新加坡社区基金会两年多善款增六成

The Community Foundation of Singapore Wins Charity Transparency Award 2023

2023年因病过世的新加坡律师公会前会长陈锦海律师，生前在LinkedIn发表的“如果我是新加坡国王”系列贴文已经结集成书，收入全数投入去年以他名义设立的“陈锦海纪念基金”。

陈锦海生前是义正律师事务所（TSMP Law Corporation）的合伙人，遗孀去年通过新加坡社区基金会（The Community Foundation of Singapore），设立纪念基金。

《联合早报》通过义正律所联合管理合伙人张祉盈律师，电邮访问陈锦海的妻子。

不愿具名的陈太太说，纪念基金旨在支持陈锦海撰写文章和社媒贴文常提起值得支持的慈善项目，“继续他的工作和精神遗产是有意义的”。

陈太太不愿透露纪念基金的金额，但根据新加坡社区基金会网站资料，设立基金的门槛为20万元。

基金的指定受益人都是陈锦海生前热衷的慈善项目，包括新加坡法律义务办事处（Pro Bono SG）和客工援助组织“康侍”（Healthserve）。

陈太太说，陈锦海在担任律师公会会长期间，强烈觉得新加坡法律义务办事处援助无力承担法律服务者的工作做得出色，所以基金将给予支持。为客工提供心理健康咨询，也将是基金的支持项目。

在法律界30多年的陈锦海，2022年1月起担任律师公会会长，上任两个月后不幸患癌，去年7月8日与世长辞，得年57岁。

撰写《纯爱手册》畅销书自给自足完成大学教育

1988年，陈锦海在新加坡国立大学法学院念大一时，先后撰写刻画本地初级学院学生生活的《纯爱手册》上下集——“The Teenage Textbook”和“The Teenage Workbook”。

两本书成为畅销书，曾登上舞台剧、拍成电影和电视剧，而他也靠两本书的收入自给自足，完成大学教育。

陈太太说，尽管出身卑微，陈锦海对自己有机会追求法律职业向来很感恩。为了纪念他这份感激之情，她将另设“陈锦海助学金”协助国大的贫困法学生。

陈锦海敢怒敢言，在去世前的三年多，他在社媒积极发表法律相关贴文，旨在提高公众的法律知识。

因笔调活泼，涵盖法律变革、无偿服务和客工课题等的内容生动易读，赢得好评，LinkedIn的追踪者达3万8000个。

陈锦海曾说自己有时要评论新加坡政府的政策，却不想说“如果我是政府”，所以选择以“如果我是新加坡国王”的诙谐方式表达，“因为我们知道，这里暂时还没有国王”。

陈太太说，陈锦海一直想再出书，却被病症阻碍，“他不会想到，自己在LinkedIn发表的系列贴文会取得巨大成功，最终结集成书”。

“他去世后，公众和认识他的人都深切悲痛，许多人，甚至是通过LinkedIn认识他的人，都表示会想念他和他的作品。”

新书让陈锦海的声音永存

陈太太透露，很多人要求保留陈锦海的LinkedIn账户，以便继续阅读他生前的想法。

“这本书就这样出版了。对许多被他感动的人来说，这是让他的声音继续存在的一种方式。”

《如果我是新加坡国王》已在纪伊国屋书店（Kinokuniya）、大众书局、Book Bar和WHSmith樟宜分店出售。

信用：联合早报©新报业媒体有限公司。复制需要许可

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

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

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News

CFS Receives National Award – COVID-19 Resilience Certificate

John Doe

CFS has been awarded the COVID-19 Resilience Certificate, which recognises the contributions of organisations that played a vital role in addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19. Our CEO, Catherine Loh, received the award at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) Family National Day COVID-19 Investiture on October 10, 2023.

How We Pooled Resources for Singapore

As COVID-19 cases began to rise in February 2020, a member of the CFS board was deeply disturbed by reports of mistreatment towards healthcare workers. Anticipating the imminent health and economic challenges that lay ahead, CFS quickly recognised that action was needed.

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An image capturing a lively game of dominoes being played by a group of individuals, highlighting their enjoyment and competitive spirit.

约230名年长者参加益智桌游赛用颜色与数字一较高下

“On February 11, 2020, we launched a Community Impact Fund which we named the “Sayang Sayang Fund”,” said Catherine Loh, CEO. “We felt this was the best and fastest way to respond to emerging needs as the crisis unfolded. It provided an easy way for donors to support those in need while CFS worked with sector partners to determine the type of support each community needed.”

The amount of support that poured in was heartening. We attained our initial target of $500,000 in just 10 days, and ultimately received $9.7 million from over 5,000 donors.

Thanks to our generous donors, we were able to collaborate with charities, ministries and social service agencies to deliver urgent assistance to those in need.

Making a Positive Impact on Affected Communities

In response to rapidly shifting circumstances, CFS acted through a wide array of initiatives and programmes, disbursing $9.7 million to aid 401,000 beneficiaries and 276 community organisations between 2020 to 2023. Here’s a glimpse into our efforts:

Healthcare Workers: Our initial action was to lift the spirits of nurses, doctors and ancillary healthcare workers by providing taxi vouchers and care packages sponsored by donations from the public and transport companies, ComfortDelGro, Gojek and Grab.

Elderly: When social distancing measures were mandated, the Sayang Sayang Fund (SSF) provided funds to several charity programmes to ensure the well-being of the elderly. These included educating them on infection control, reducing loneliness among elderly living alone, and ensuring low-income seniors had access to food despite disruptions in the supply chain.

Students: During school closure and home-based learning, students on financial assistance lost access to subsidised school meals. In partnership with the Ministry of Education, the SSF supplemented their allowances to ensure they continued to receive proper nutrition.

Migrant Workers: During the circuit breaker period, the SSF distributed mobile phone top-ups to migrant workers in lockdown who had insufficient balances in their accounts, so they could stay in contact with their families.

Rough Sleepers: Funds were disbursed to AMKFSC Community Services, Good News Community Services, Methodist Welfare Services, and New Hope Community Services to establish more shelters and assist in relocating rough sleepers to safe accommodations.

Learn more about the Sayang Sayang Fund.

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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, DIRECT AID, DONOR STORIES, FAMILIES, HEALTH, INCLUSIVITY & INTEGRATION, NEWS, PROMOTING HEALTHCARE, SAYANG SAYANG FUND, SENIORS, STORIES OF IMPACT

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Opinion

Making collaboration a reality

John Doe

Collaboration for social change has been a hot topic of late. Collaboration’s appeal is apparent in a world beset by complex and evolving social issues — alone we can only do so much, but work together, and look at the change we can achieve.

In the same vein, Colabs, a philanthropic initiative by the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) and National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), drives collaboration by bringing together the public, private and social sectors to tackle complex social issues. In particular, Colabs aims to empower givers to discover the roles they can play alongside existing efforts by government and non-profits.

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Colabs currently focuses on three groups: disadvantaged children and youth, persons with disabilities and seniors.

Our first group kicked off by taking a look at the issues facing disadvantaged young people. We were thrilled that a total of 115 individuals and 62 organisations came to share and learn. We discussed existing support for disadvantaged young persons, our present-day challenges, while opening up future opportunities to work together.

If collaboration is to move from a mere aspiration to a reality, we encourage everyone to seriously consider these factors.

Fostering trust
It is often said change moves at the speed of trust. Collaboration requires recognition of each others’ strengths, and a shift away from a competitive mindset. Establishing a clear and common agenda and openly communicating in a safe environment are essential elements in any collaborative effort.

Trust is the key to understanding each other, exchanging ideas and expertise and talking about challenges. On this foundation, we can build a body of knowledge and a culture of transparency for effective collaboration and outcomes we want to achieve.

A shared journey of equals
In the face of complex issues, it’s easy to think the solution lies with someone else. When we enter a collaboration, we need to believe change begins with us. If trust is the glue that keeps collaborative efforts together, then shared ownership and responsibility is the compass that guides our intentions.

To act in the best interests of people affected by social issues, we have to embark on a journey of equals, recognising every party brings unique assets and voices to the table. When the going gets tough — and it will — all parties in the collaboration must be committed to dedicating the resources necessary to deliver change.

Innovation is not new
Change often requires innovation, which isn’t necessarily about inventing something new, but about looking for better ways to do things. Collaboration offers us a diversity of knowledge and expertise to generate new insights and explore improved or more sustainable solutions.

At CFS, we count it a privilege to be able to facilitate the meeting of like-minded people who want to live and give meaningfully. The successes of enabling hope, realising aspirations and rebuilding lives with dignity in our communities are a result of many collaborations and partnerships between our donors and charities.

We are grateful to all our partners for adding to the richness of this journey through your presence, perspective, and perseverance in building a stronger community. The journey has just begun; the best is yet to be.

Joyce Teo
Deputy CEO
Community Foundation of Singapore

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

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Opinion

Three donor trends shaping giving in 2020 and beyond

John Doe

Widening social inequality, an ageing population, and climate change – these are the issues that frame our world, as Singapore celebrates its bicentennial year in 2019. Yet alongside these social challenges, we’re also reminded of our long history of philanthropy in tackling local community needs. Take for instance, the recent 200 Years of Philanthropy in Singapore at the Temasek Shophouse, where it was heartening to see philanthropy being celebrated as a vital thread in Singapore’s success story.

But how will local donors continue to contribute to Singapore’s future? With the number of high-net-worth individuals here expected to grow by 22% to 250,000 by 2023, philanthropy is at an inflection point. We’ve already seeing broader shifts in our donor landscape: donors are getting younger; more Singaporeans are becoming socially aware, and technology is empowering new modes of giving.

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At CFS, we count it as our privilege to be able to observe and nurture a new generation of donors increasingly empowered to drive social change. In this final edition of Change Matters for 2019, we highlight three donor trends we believe will continue to shape giving in 2020 and beyond:

Giving together is gaining traction

As more people recognise the complexity of social issues and the need for many helping hands, giving together is fast gaining traction. Donors are beginning to understand that collaboration enables them to create an impact larger than what they can achieve as individuals. In this edition, be the first to read about the Mind the Gap 200 fund or MtG200. This exciting ground-up initiative is the first collective of 10 donor advised funds formed by private individuals, which seeks to address social gaps in multiple sectors in Singapore.

More women are getting engaged in philanthropy

In 2009, only 14% of CFS’s donor funds were started by female donors. This percentage has risen by more than four times to 65% in 2017 and 2018. As more women become empowered to give, they will continue to give to causes close to their hearts. In this issue, we’re delighted to highlight the work of the International Women’s Forum Singapore (IWF). With CFS’s facilitation, IWF supports young women from financially-challenged backgrounds through their tertiary education through an education grant and a mentorship programme.

Donors are asking more questions for deeper understanding

Finally, donors are becoming more interested in understanding the root causes of issues to better inform their giving. They are more willing to explore opportunities to gain deeper insights from service providers, or contribute their expertise to co-create solutions. In this issue, read about our three Seniors Colabs learning journeys (Cornerstone Community Services (with Empower Ageing), Wellness Kampong and St Theresa’s Home), where participants discussed and exchanged views on how society can help our seniors age well.

Catherine Loh

CEO, Community Foundation of Singapore

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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