President's Challenge 2025 to support 52 organisations, with focus on longer-term funding

Business Times

2 days ago

[SINGAPORE] The President's Challenge 2025, which was launched on Wednesday (May 28) by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, will support 60 programmes by 52 organisations. Although this is fewer than the 88 programmes supported in 2024, the initiative aims to focus on more significant and longer-term funding for beneficiaries.
The refreshed President's Challenge this year received applications from 272 programmes – more than twice the number in 2024.
In a doorstop interview with the media, Tharman said: 'The happy problem we face is that we've had a lot more applications for this new President's Challenge. And we could therefore afford to be selective, choose programmes which we felt had the greatest potential, and yet cover a broad ground.'
Six selected programmes that have established track records will receive a higher tier of funding of S$715,000 to S$1.25 million over five years. The other 54 programmes will receive funding of S$105,000 to S$300,000 for each programme over three years.
One of the six programmes is Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore's (RDA) equine-assisted activities.
Meanwhile, one of the 54 programmes is Playeum's Open Minds, Open Doors programme.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle
Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.
Sign Up
Sign Up
RDA currently runs therapeutic riding sessions for persons with disabilities, as well as the Ground Programme, in which beneficiaries can get involved with activities such as horse care.
Gerard Sivalingam, general manager of RDA, said: 'We use horses as a form of therapy… (The beneficiaries) see joy in what they are doing. What we offer them is a hobby and something that's not easily accessible.'
He added that the funding from the President's Challenge is vital in keeping the programmes free of charge, especially amid rising costs.
Meanwhile, one of the 54 programmes is Playeum's Open Minds, Open Doors initiative, which has been ongoing since 2019. It is a community play programme for children with disabilities.
Charlotte Goh, executive director of Playeum, said: '(Open-ended play) enables social and emotional skills and 21st century skills like critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication, self-regulation and self-awareness.'
As part of the programme, Playeum also runs workshops for parents to learn about children's holistic development and family bonding through play. It has developed manuals that can be used by both parents and educators.
Tharman added: 'All the programmes we're supporting aim not just at meeting immediate needs, but uplifting people, by discovering talents and developing their potential.'
In addition, the S$250 million SG Gives Matching Grant announced at Budget 2025 will provide dollar-for-dollar matching by the government for all donations to the President's Challenge.
New fellowships
This year's President Challenge includes new fellowships, which will cover three tracks.
The first track, called Civil Action, offers one or two-year sabbaticals to those who have a minimum of five years of work or active volunteering experience. It is supported by Quantedge Foundation, Singapore Management University and Singapore University of Social Sciences.
Tharman said: '(This track) is to enable people who are engaged in the social sector – in social work, social services, youth work, and even active volunteers from other professions – the time and opportunity to reflect, do some research, network and develop new ideas for social impact.'
The second track, called Springboard, supports individuals who have faced challenges in life and are ready to enter the workforce or become an entrepreneur. The selected fellows can choose between employment and upskilling programmes either for employment or entrepreneurship.
Springboard is supported by the Singapore Institute of Management and Temasek. It aims to help individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, ex-offenders, women facing vulnerable circumstances, and more.
The third track is ITE Inspire, which recognises alumni from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) who have made strides in their career and can act as role models for the younger generation. ITE Inspire is also supported by Singapore Business Federation Foundation.
ITE will shortlist and select up to five awardees. These awardees will organise programmes such as mentoring, learning journeys and industry visits in Singapore and/or overseas, and workshops or fireside chats to benefit the ITE community.
More opportunities in arts and sports
The President's Challenge has also partnered the National Arts Council (NAC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) to broaden opportunities for beneficiaries in the arts and sports sectors.
The Enabling Sports Fund aims to expand community-initiated disability sports and support early identification of talents among young persons with disabilities. Under the partnership, the President's Challenge will also enhance access to sports for all via SportSG's academies and clubs, as well as more inter-school sports competitions and carnivals. It will also help NAC and SportSG expand their scholarship offerings.