Opinion
Sustainable Philanthropy Matters: The History of Caring and Charity
In this three-part series ‘Sustainable Philanthropy Matters’, we explore the surprisingly intimate relationship between philanthropy and sustainability and how the practice of one can in …
How to tackle homelessness in Singapore? Try some empathy for a start
Early last year, when a call for volunteers came for the first nationwide street count of the homeless in Singapore, I was probably one of the fastest to sign up.
Governance is a continuous journey for charities
EARLIER this month I attended the Charity Transparency and Governance Award dinner organised by the Charity Council. It was a proud moment for the charities that received the Charities Transparency Awards (CTA) 2019, which ranged from small, medium to large, all 67 of them.
Three donor trends shaping giving in 2020 and beyond
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.
Including the Excluded: Everyone Plays a Part
Through working and volunteering in the non-profit sector, I often meet people living in dire circumstances. I vividly remember one incident while distributing breakfast to families living in public rental units. Speaking in simple English, the mother thanked us profusely for the warm porridge and noodles – generously contributed by a donor – so the money saved could go towards their monthly transport.
A turning point for community philanthropy
In the life of any organisation, there are special moments that will be remembered as being turning points. CEO Catherine Loh reflects on a phenomenal year and muses on a new era as CFS looks forward to the next decade with the exponential growth of community philanthropy and a new Chairman at the helm.
Eileen Heisman: Donor advised funds are a flexible tool that can adapt to changing giving interests
Donor advised funds (DAFs) are flexible, relatively inexpensive and can meet and adapt to changing interests. A DAF is also a tool you can spend down over your lifetime or pass it down to your children. It’s why DAFs are the fastest growing philanthropic tool in the United States. Eileen Heisman, President and CEO of National Philanthropic Trust shares more.
CFS Philanthropy Forum 2019: Looking to the future of community philanthropy
At the CFS Philanthropy Forum 2019, donors, charities and partners gathered to hear from leaders and experts on what lies ahead for community philanthropy. Headlining the evening was keynote speaker Eileen Heisman, President and CEO of National Philanthropic Trust. This was followed by an engaging panel discussion on how donor advised funds enable smarter, better giving.
CFS welcomes new Chairman Christine Ong, succeeding Laurence Lien
The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) has a new Chairman from 1 April 2019. Christine Ong will succeed Laurence Lien as Chairman of CFS. Christine who brings extensive experience spanning 30 years from the finance and banking industry takes over from Laurence who has been involved with CFS for the past 10 years.
Collaborative giving: How it creates social change
Today, with technology and the lean towards strategic, outcome-focused giving, collaborative giving is rapidly gaining traction as people recognise the complexity of social issues and the need for many helping hands. CFS counts it as our mission to enable donors to learn and tap on different models of collective giving.
Colabs launches Seniors series to tackle the question ‘How can our seniors live more happily in the community?’
The inaugural session of Seniors Colabs marked the start of a new collaborative journey, with participants expected to meet regularly over a six-month period to share knowledge, build insights and find practical ways to help seniors age well.
Singapore Youth Impact Collective helps youths progress from classroom to working life
The Singapore Youth Impact Collective – a first-in-Singapore initiative – uses the collective impact model to empower disadvantaged youths to progress more smoothly from the classroom to fulfilling careers. The Collective launched two youth empowerment programmes and opened a new A.P.T.I.T.U.D.E. Centre at ITE College Central.
Fresh off the press
Two new publications just rolled off the press – CFS Annual Report 2018 and ‘A Call for Collaborative Giving’, the first publication from Colabs that sheds light on the challenges disadvantaged young persons face at home. Available for download here.
Inspiring thoughts from our anniversary speeches
At CFS’s 10th anniversary event, our three distinguished speakers – Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Catherine Loh, CEO of CFS, and Laurence Lien, Chairman of CFS – all struck home the point on philanthropy’s potential for growth in Singapore.
Celebrating a decade of inspiring and enabling philanthropy in Singapore
After months of anticipation, CFS’s year-long 10th anniversary celebrations came to a high point on 5 September 2018 at a gala event at The Arts House. Guest of honour, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu, and 120 guests including donors, charities and other partners, came together to commemorate this major milestone in CFS’s history.
CFS’s first brand campaign ‘Portraits of generosity’ to inspire giving
In tandem with its 10th anniversary, CFS launched its first ever brand campaign ‘Portraits of Generosity’ – a series of heart-warming donor stories uncovering each donor’s motivation for giving. Looking back at their lives, donors share their motivations for why they chose to give back to those in need.
Giving from strength to strength
In the Community Foundation of Singapore’s (CFS) first year of operation, few individuals wanted to talk to us about philanthropy. Thanks to a founding group of seven donors in 2008 who placed their faith in us, we started to see growth, says Catherine Loh, CEO of CFS.
Making collaboration a reality
Collaboration for social change has been a hot topic of late, but how do we get there? These three factors could help, says Joyce Teo, Deputy CEO of CFS.
