Valentine’s Day often comes with familiar gestures: a bouquet, a card, a thoughtful gift. But love doesn’t have to stop there.This year, you can choose gifts that carry meaning beyond the moment — gifts that support someone’s chance at work, belonging and dignity, right here in Singapore.
[SINGAPORE] What do ride-hailing company Grab, construction firm Scatech Engineering and property developer Wee Hur have in common?The families behind these companies have turned to donor-advised funds (DAFs), set up through government-affiliated non-profit Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), to engage in structured legacy giving for generations to come.
Paul Tan, CEO of the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) joined CNA938’s Our Town host Susan Ng, alongside CFS donors Bryan Chua and Rachel Yang, co-founders of the SCATECH Philanthropy Fund, to discuss how structured giving is helping families build legacies that last. Paul shared that more donors today are moving beyond one-off donations towards thoughtful, long-term giving — asking how their philanthropy can stay relevant over time and reflect the values they want to pass on. Bryan and Rachel also shared how starting their fund was inspired by a personal loss and a desire to involve their children early, so giving becomes a shared family journey rather than an abstract idea.
Rachel and Bryan’s Family Story of GivingAt her grandfather’s funeral, young Jerlyn quietly sat down and began to sketch. What emerged was a tender portrait of him holding her as a baby, a simple drawing that spoke volumes.
“Can use culture pass to buy Yakult?”So goes a comment from the HardwareZone forum on a government arts incentive – the SG Culture Pass. This gives every Singapore citizen aged 18 and above $100 worth of credits to spend on arts and cultural events – but unfortunately for the commenter, not cultured drinks.
In celebration of Singapore’s 59th National Day, the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) had the immense pleasure of hosting our donors and partners at the opening night of Wild Rice’s “Don’t Call Him Mr. Mari Kita.” The memorable evening was a collaborative initiative by CFS and The Majurity Trust (TMT), underscoring our shared mission to foster thriving communities in Singapore. Our organisations are no strangers to each other, having come together on the Sayang Sayang Fund during the Covid-19 period to provide support to those affected by the pandemic.The Power of the Arts and Philanthropy in Fostering Community Spirit
On 14th February 2024, CFS marked its 15th Anniversary with a Chinese New Year “Lohei” (Prosperity Toss) celebration. The event was graced by Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and gathered nearly 160 donors, charity partners, and business associates, both longstanding and new.Unveiling the Sayang Sayang Fund Report was a great way to mark our 15th year, as it displayed the power of collective impact and love for our community. Established as an emergency response fund at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to support vulnerable groups, the Sayang Sayang Fund (SSF) impacted the lives of over 401,000 beneficiaries in Singapore. In a span of three years, an impressive $9.7 million was raised, showcasing the remarkable generosity and willingness of the community to offer their support.
Congratulations to Megan Low, this year’s winner of the Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Award, which supports young Singaporean musicians who have consistently demonstrated outstanding musicianship and performance. The Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Fund, a donor-advised fund which CFS has managed for over a decade, honours the legacy of Mr. Goh Soon Tioe, a pioneering and accomplished violinist, conductor, and teacher.Megan is thrilled to be joining the community of previous award winners and is excited about the performance opportunities that come with the award. The prize money will help defray the cost of a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance, which Megan hopes to pursue after graduation. She is currently in her final year of a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree in Violin Performance at the prestigious Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, under the tutelage of internationally-renowned violinist Zuo Jun.
In December 2021, 24-year-old Loh Kean Yew became the first Singaporean to win the Badminton World Federation World Championships in Huelva, Spain.With his unyielding fighting spirit and humble personality, Loh took the spotlight and became a sporting legend. Loh’s commitment to his sports attracted the attention of many – including those around the world and region.
An Indonesian tycoon’s family foundation, the Karim Family Foundation, has raised S$200,000 to support badminton player Loh Kean Yew, the first Singaporean to win the Badminton World Federation World Championships.The Karim Family Foundation – set up by the family of Indonesian tycoon Bachtiar Karim and his wife Dewi Sukwanto – wanted to congratulate Loh for his win at the championships in December 2021, according to Zaobao.
