NVPC - Towards a City of Good

"I like pushing myself to the limits, trying to beat the times that I was doing last week or even yesterday. That feeling really motivates me."

Yip Pin Xiu began swimming at the age of five. She made history at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games by winning Singapore's first ever Paralympic gold medal! Pin Xiu continued her success at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, winning two gold medals and setting world records in the Women's 50m and 100m Backstroke S2 events. Her love for swimming comes from the sense of freedom and equality she feels in the water.

Support Pin Xiu through the Singapore National Paralympic Council's fundraiser on giving.sg, and help her continue to break barriers at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Find out more at https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/road-to-paris-2024-paralympic-games-and-beyond.

'Having a disability may put me at a disadvantage in life, but playing Boccia levels the playing field."

Jeralyn Tan Yee Ting is a remarkable boccia player who happens to have cerebral palsy. However, despite the lack in motor skills and coordination, she has shown incredible determination and skills. Her love for Boccia stems from the strategic nature of the game. As of 2024, she is currently ranked 1st in the world.

Support Jeralyn through the Singapore National Paralympic Council's fundraiser on giving.sg, and help her continue to break barriers at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Find out more at https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/road-to-paris-2024-paralympic-games-and-beyond.

"When I swim, I feel a sense of independence and freedom that I never experience on land."

Sophie Soon was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy, a condition that causes deteriorating vision that may eventually lead to blindness. When walking about, she has to rely on her guide dog, a white cane, or a sighted guide. Despite her visual impairment, Sophie has excelled in both sports and music, achieving Grade 8 in violin and performing with The Sam Willows at the 2014 President's Star Charity Show. Sophie's achievements include winning gold and silver medals at the ASEAN Para Games and the World Para Swimming Championships.

Support Sophie through the Singapore National Paralympic Council's fundraiser on giving.sg, and help her continue to break barriers at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Find out more at https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/road-to-paris-2024-paralympic-games-and-beyond.

This National Day, join us on https://www.giving.sg/content/giving-starts-with-us to ignite your community spirit and support these wonderful charities!

Whether it is helping someone else with food and shelter, or fostering platforms which create connections and equitable opportunities, let us all play our parts to ensure no one feels alone or gets left behind.

Together, let's show up for our community because Giving starts with us. ❤️🇸🇬

🏅 Kiria Tikanah: From an 8-Year-Old Fencer to an Olympian! 🏅

When 8-year-old Kiria discovered fencing, she never imagined she would become Singapore's second female fencer to qualify for the Olympics.

As we cheer for all our athletes during the Paris 2024 Olympics, let's also recognise the crucial role of donations to our local sports organisations. Your donations go a long way towards training, equipment, and opportunities.

📣 Support Kiria and other athletes through:

• Fencing Singapore: Enhancing the development of fencing in Singapore.
• Singapore Athletics: Providing resources for athletes' growth and success.
• ONE(SINGAPORE): Uniting our nation through sports.

Together, we can empower our athletes to achieve greatness on the global stage. Find out ways to support them here: https://www.giving.sg/stories/article/paris-olympics-2024-fuel-kirias-journey-and-empower-singapores-athletes

Single mom, Mdm Rani is the sole provider of her family after escaping an abusive marriage. Working tirelessly to care for her daughters, she often has to skip meals to make ends meet.

Despite their hardships, she dreams of a brighter future for her daughters and remains determined to see them excel in their studies.

With your support through the Giving Circles initiative, we can help Mdm Rani and her daughters in several ways:

• Financial support to clear arrears amounting to $2.2k/month
• Tutoring in H2 Chem, H2 Math, H1 Bio, and P5 Math
• $600 towards tuition support for Lakshmy and Bhavani
• $300/month for food and unexpected expenses
• Better employment opportunities for Mdm Rani

You can bring hope and support to families like Mdm Rani’s and help them navigate challenging times by joining a Giving Circle today!

👉 Swipe through the carousel to learn more and sign up to be part of this Giving Circle. Head over to https://www.giving.sg/stories/article/giving-circles for more details.

💖 Cole's Fundraising Journey 💖

Swipe to read how 10-year-old Cole Phng Arnold chose to celebrate his birthday by fundraising for the Singapore Red Cross Home for the Disabled. Discover how he raised over $5,000 and inspired us all to give back! 🎉

Wish to contribute to Grateful Hearts Day like Cole? Donate via https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/src-ghd2024 and make a difference today! 🌟

One month after Singapore's oil spill, our environment is still recovering. The full impact on our marine life and habitats is unfolding, and your support can make a huge difference. 🌊💔

Swipe to discover why conservation is crucial and how you can help support organisations like ACRES, Garden City Fund, and Conservation International in their efforts to protect our natural heritage. Every contribution counts. Together, we can restore and protect our environment. 🌿💚

For non-profits who want to attract more volunteers or draw more attention to fundraisers, here are some recommendations from our National Giving Study 2023:

• Emphasise altruism as the reason why people should volunteer or donate🥰
• Share regular and concrete experiences of volunteers’ impact on beneficiaries🤝
• Offer different ways of giving, such as micro-giving or giving in-kind🥳
• Leverage ties in communities through religious leaders or by forming Giving Circles‍🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏽

Media outlets, researchers, and educational institutions can also play a part in promoting a culture of giving:

• Link awareness with action by using media content to highlight opportunities for giving within social issues⚠️🚨
• Further research can be conducted to understand the causal links between giving in childhood and adulthood🔎
• Create more opportunities and exposure for childhood giving to help create more lifelong giving habits👧👦🏽

Go to https://cityofgood.sg/resources/national-giving-study-2023/ to learn more about giving trends and recommendations!🔗

How did the end of pandemic measures affect giving? 😷

🥳📈 The proportion of people volunteering rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, with the end of social distancing measures allowing for more physical volunteering and in-person donations.

🆕💻 Nearly 30% of individuals led fundraising campaigns on social media, and almost 40% gave to such campaigns.

🥰🎁 Most people are more motivated to give if they perceive giving as an altruistic act.

🌱✨There has been a rise in informal community giving initiatives, or groundups, since 2021, indicating a public-spirited motivation among Singapore residents.

How did your giving behaviour change post-pandemic? Go to https://cityofgood.sg/resources/national-giving-study-2023/to read our National Giving Study 2023 PDF report to learn more.

With scams becoming more prevalent in Singapore, here are some ways for non-profits to win public trust:

• Establish clear signs of credibility and trustworthiness, such as highlighting Institution of a Public Character (IPC) status or producing audited statement of accounts for transparency about where the money goes 👀🧐

• Communicate clearly and credibly about the specific programmes or initiatives funds are going to, and the impact of the contributions on beneficiaries🗣️🔊

💡The National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre is also here to support charities on our giving platform, giving.sg, and through our training programmes for charities and groundups to boost fundraising and communication competencies!

Go to https://cityofgood.sg/resources/national-giving-study-2023/ to read our full National Giving Study 2023 PDF report for more details.

Elyana*’s family of 8 stays in a rental flat and she often experiences difficulty sleeping as she alternates between sleeping on the floor and in the bedroom.

The living environment is unconducive for Elyana to focus on her studies and she finds herself not doing well enough in school. On top of that, her friends would say hurtful things to her but she kept it all to herself.

She eventually found her way into the Singapore Red Cross’ Young Hearts programme in May 2022. Being a part of the Young Hearts programme enabled her to expand her horizons by going on outings to new places and attending tuition classes, where she could find temporary relief from the heavy burdens on her tiny shoulders.

“I really enjoy the outings, such as the recent trip to the Universal Studios Singapore, where I have never been before,” said Elyana, “The tuition has also helped me to improve on my grades and made me a more responsible person.”

With the guidance and support from staff and volunteers, Elyana’s grades and outlook in life has since improved. Today, she is more confident about paving her own future, and hopes to make further academic progress to do well for PSLE.

Donate to Singapore Red Cross’ annual fundraiser “Grateful Hearts Day”: https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/singapore-red-cross-society_srcchampion23

*Name has been changed to protect identity.

“If not for the Singapore Red Cross and my social worker, I would not have made it till today,” says Priya.

54-year-old Priya* has navigated turbulent challenges of grief, depression and overwhelming financial challenges after her husband passed away in 2019.

With crippling debts piling up, Priya was compelled to re-enter the workforce. This was a challenging feat for her, as she had been the main caregiver for her ailing husband for about 15 years. She eventually took up several part-time jobs, with the bulk of her remuneration going into repaying the outstanding debts. Priya also had to deplete her savings to cover her monthly living expenses for things like telecommunications, transport, utilities and food. This also meant that she had barely enough to put food on her table.

Upon learning about her plight, a social worker connected her with the Singapore Red Cross–Fairprice Meals with Love programme which provides her with $150 worth of supermarket vouchers monthly that go towards alleviating some of her financial burdens and enables her to buy nutritious foods to put on her table.

Since being enrolled into the programme, Priya has discovered a glimmer of hope and a life line and she hopes her story can serve as a force for positive change, reminding us all of the power of community and compassion.

Donate to Singapore Red Cross’ annual fundraiser “Grateful Hearts Day”: https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/singapore-red-cross-society_srcchampion23

Despite life's challenges, Bee Lian maintains a cheerful demeanour.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Bee Lian was placed under the care of her foster mother in 1974. Subsequently, she was admitted into the Red Cross Home for the Disabled in 1994 as her foster mother was too old to care for her.

Even though she has difficulties communicating with others, she demonstrates determination and patience by repeating herself to ensure she is understood. She looks forward to interacting with others, going on outings and attending celebrations.

Over the years, her amiable personality has endeared her to many; she has forged countless friendships with volunteers, visitors and nurses, who would set aside time to care for and interact with her. She also has a sentimental side. She keeps a special phone book consisting of her friends' contact details and would often ask for stationery so that she can write to them, albeit with the help of volunteers or caregivers.

With the support and love of many, Bee Lian has been able to thrive and forge lasting memories.

Donate to Singapore Red Cross’ annual fundraiser “Grateful Hearts Day”: https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/singapore-red-cross-society_srcchampion23

Other than people donating and volunteering, our National Giving Study 2023 found new ways of giving in Singapore:

🧑‍💻🤳Digital giving:

• Nearly 30% of individuals surveyed led fundraising campaigns on social media,
• and almost 40% gave to such campaigns.
• People in Singapore also used social media to voice their opinions, petition, repost and create original content for social causes.

🎁🧧Other popular ways of giving include:

• donations in-kind (79%),
• spontaneous acts in everyday situations (77%),
• gathering a group of people to give directly to those in need (48%),
• collectively donating a pooled amount of money (42%),
• and micro-volunteering (43%)

🛍️🛒Shopping is also a way of giving, with:

• 60% purchasing from non-profit organisations, charities, or social enterprises,
• and 59% donating while making a purchase.
• 56% deliberately bought or avoided products due to ethical, environmental, or social reasons.

Check out https://cityofgood.sg/resources/national-giving-study-2023/ to read our full National Giving Study 2023 PDF report for more details!

What drives people to give in Singapore?🥰

New positive giving predictors found in our National Giving Study 2023 include🧐:

• Greater interest in social issues📈
• Experiences in childhood giving🧒🧒🏽
• High subjective importance of religion🙋
• Regular attendance for religious services⛪🕌🕍

We also found that the most likely and frequent volunteers are:

• motivated by other-centered reasons🧑‍🤝‍🧑
• able to see a clear impact in their work👀

Youths are also increasingly willing to explore different ways of giving, including leveraging their ties and networks and sharing petitions or opinions on social media.

Learn more about recent giving trends in Singapore via https://cityofgood.sg/resources/national-giving-study-2023/ !🔗

What gives people a reason to give? 🎁🥰

Our newly released National Giving Study 2023 surveyed 1,951 respondents and 112 focus group participants to find out:

• how much,
• how often,
• and in what ways people in Singapore give, along with
• drivers and barriers of giving.

Check out https://cityofgood.sg/resources/national-giving-study-2023/ to learn more! 🔗

🌟 MSF’s Volunteer Festival 2024 – Register Today! 🌟
 
Join us for a series of enriching volunteer opportunities this July! Swipe to learn more and pick your favourite activity. 
 
Care Corner Singapore (Sat 6 July)
📍 Pick up: Our Tampines Hub
Make a difference with youth engagement, family support, and eldercare. Participate in reading programs, academic support, and community outreach.
 
Care Corner Singapore (Sat 13 July)
📍 Pick up: Toa Payoh Hub
Establish friendships and bring joy to socially isolated seniors to reintegrate and be better supported so they can age in place in the community
 
National Kidney Foundation (Sat 13 July)
📍 Pick up: Toa Payoh Hub
Befriend and bring joy to patients during their dialysis. Engage in fun activities such as bingo, or lend a listening ear and offer emotional support.

🌟 Final Call for Nominations 🌟

Do you know an outstanding individual, organisation, or partnership that embodies the spirit of giving and has made significant contributions to a cause or community they deeply care about? Now is the time to recognise and celebrate their extraordinary efforts by nominating them for the President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards 2024!

Visit www.pvpa.sg to learn more and submit your nominations today!

Selamat Hari Raya Haji 🕌✨

This blessed occasion is a time for reflection, compassion, and giving back. Here are ways to spread hope and support to those in need.

🤲 Donate: Help charities like Persatuan Pemudi Islam Singapura (PPIS), Yayasan Mendaki, and AMP Singapore continue their vital work. Your contributions make a lasting impact on families and communities.

🙋🏽Volunteer: Join the SG Cares Volunteer Centre at Geylang to support the Muslim community at Sallim Mattar Mosque. Your time and effort can make a big difference.

Find out more at www.giving.sg

Happy Father’s Day! 💓

Looking for meaningful activities to do together as a family? Make extra special memories by giving back to the community together.

Head to www.giving.sg to find a variety of volunteering opportunities and see how you can make a difference.

On this World Blood Donor Day, we celebrate the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support and guide blood donors at events across Singapore. Meet Idhreesh, a 27-year-old civil engineer, active blood donor, and devoted volunteer with Singapore Red Cross Idhreesh ensures every donation experience is smooth and impactful, giving others the chance to help save lives. Swipe to discover his story! 🩸🙌