S'pore's ‘most ambitious' volunteerism, philanthropy campaign to mark SG60
SINGAPORE – A national campaign to encourage volunteerism and philanthropy to commemorate Singapore's 60th birthday is its most ambitious edition yet, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Goh Hanyan.
The third edition of the #GiveAsOneSG campaign will be longer, running for 60 days, and features more charities and causes than previously, said Ms Goh, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment
Speaking at the launch event on June 19, she said: 'Whether you are passionate about supporting persons with disabilities, engaging seniors, promoting our arts and sports or protecting the environment, there are meaningful opportunities for everyone.'
The campaign, which is themed 60 Days of Giving to mark Singapore's 60th year of independence and runs until Aug 10, is jointly organised by the National Day Parade (NDP) committee and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC).
Singaporeans can support a variety of causes such as people with disabilities, the elderly, animals and the environment listed at https://www.giving.sg/content/ndpgiveasonesg through donations or volunteering.
One of the new initiatives introduced in 2025 is NVPC's Flexi Volunteering Programme (FVP), designed to help companies kick-start regular volunteering efforts, with opportunities that require lower frequency and hours.
NVPC aims to get 60 companies by December to contribute at least 60 volunteer hours in at least two volunteering sessions each – adding up to a collective target of 3,600 hours – with 10 community partners, including the Autism Association (Singapore) and the Caregiving Welfare Association.
Addressing company representatives at the launch event, NVPC chief executive Tony Soh noted that business can be a positive force for good in society.
'It does not matter where you sit in the corporate hierarchy or what role you play because there are diverse opportunities where everyone can give and everyone can contribute,' he said.
'It is not just about how much money you can give, but also about rallying your colleagues, business partners and friends to contribute in whatever ways they can, towards building a more caring, inclusive and compassionate society.'
The FVP builds on insights from Project V, a 2023 pilot initiative by NVPC and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) that matched companies with social service agencies that need ongoing support.
This ensured reliable volunteer support for the agencies to improve their services and ensure they are able to make a difference to their causes consistently.
Ms Goh called on Singaporeans to find a cause close to their heart to champion.
PHOTO: TARYN NG
Under Project V, over 2,400 corporate volunteers contributed more than 6,000 volunteer hours in 2024, touching the lives of over 10,000 service users, Ms Goh said.
Among them were 48 volunteers from global agri-commodity firm Agrocorp International, who partnered with Bartley Community Care Services to promote mental and physical wellness among elderly residents.
The #GiveAsOneSG campaign aligns closely with the broader theme of Majulah Singapura for NDP 2025, which honours 60 years of nation-building and looks ahead to the future, said Colonel Chong Shi Hao, chairman of the parade's executive committee and commander of the 3rd Singapore Division.
'The spirit of giving is synonymous with the spirit of celebrating as one Singapore. It strengthens the sense of belonging and unity among all Singaporeans... It reminds us that even as we progress, we are a nation that leaves no man behind,' he said.
Mr Soh and Ms Goh playing with an assistant dog from charity K9Assistance.
PHOTO: TARYN NG
At the launch event held at the Devan Nair Institute For Employment And Employability in Jurong East, Ms Goh and Mr Soh also visited booths by various charities, including the Kidney Dialysis Foundation, Lions Home for the Elderly and K9Assistance.
Among the community partners present was the Caregiving Welfare Association, whose executive director Steven Yeo welcomed the FVP, saying that he hopes the association can collaborate with companies to better support seniors and caregivers.
'As a community partner, we are excited to offer tailored volunteering opportunities that align with our mission of uplifting our beneficiaries, while engaging the corporate sector in ways that have a lasting impact,' he said.
'This initiative allows us to create stronger, more diverse partnerships that benefit both our cause and the volunteers who get involved, in support of SG60.'
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