Making Giving a trait that defines us as Singaporeans

Ms Rebekah Lin and Ms Cheryl Chong, co-founders of 50 for 50, 
Changemakers
Sponsors and partners
Ladies and gentlemen

1. Good morning. Happy to join you today, as you mark the successful conclusion for Phase 2 of 50 for 50. Together with Phase 1, you have reached out to many more charities and individuals. Congratulations on making a difference to the lives of fellow Singaporeans, as well as some migrant workers.
   

2. These efforts do matter. As the generation that will bring Singapore into the next 50 years and beyond, we all have an important role to play in shaping the future you want – for ourselves and our children.
   

Embarking on a journey of giving through 50 for 50

3. I am therefore encouraged to see initiatives like 50 for 50, which was started from scratch by young people. Through your hard work and dedication, you raised a remarkable $4.5 million for 58 charities over two phases. So a round of applause to all of you!

4. It's also very heartening to know that many of you have been involved in both phases. Ms Chiang Xiao Jun is one such individual. She is the founder of fashion and lifestyle outlet Pleatation. She started her journey with 50 for 50 by raising funds and awareness for the 365 Cancer Prevention Society in Phase 1. Xiao Jun's project for Phase 2 then saw her tapping on her expertise as a designer and rallying industry partners to hold jewellery-making and sewing workshops at the Casa Raudha Women's Home. These skills will remain with the beneficiaries for life. This is the kind of difference that will change people's lives.
   

Encouraging corporate social responsibility

5. Social responsibility is not just with the individual, but can go a long way if we reach out to corporates. Therefore, corporate support is very important, and we're encouraged to see more organisations joining this movement. For example, Soup Restaurant Group initiated the Social Pantry Project in Phase 2, employing about 20 beneficiaries of the MINDS Development Centre to pack pantry supplies for businesses across Singapore.

6. Another corporate changemaker is home-grown sustainability firm Eco Business, which teamed up with City Developments Limited (CDL) to collect pre-loved items and raise funds for disadvantaged women and children under the care of the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations.

7. The Government is doing more to support businesses like Soup Restaurant Group, Eco Business and CDL. At MCCY's Committee of Supply debate in Parliament earlier this month, we announced that the Company of Good programme will be launched later this year. This is to help companies give more, and give better. It is open to all businesses in Singapore and it offers customised support to meet their corporate giving needs. Members will have access to resources and networks to share and learn best practices. I hope that many of you will join this programme to share your experience and expertise. So if your company would like to continue on its giving journey, do consider signing up for the Company of Good. You can register your interest at www.companyofgood.sg today.

8. And the Government will support both individuals and organisations in this journey of giving. Through Our Singapore Fund to be launched later this year, projects by citizens and non-profit organisations can expect to receive up to $50,000 – or 80 per cent – of the project cost. So if you have good ideas on how to continue helping others and serving the community, do consider tapping on the Our Singapore Fund.

9. Phase 2 of 50 for 50 may have ended, but the giving doesn't need to stop, or have to stop. Because the needs in our society, and our community, are still there. Indeed, when the cause is meaningful, you will be able to inspire friends and colleagues around you to join the giving journey, to make giving hard to stop. Sustained giving is key to building a caring and cohesive society. We hope that everyone can do so, whether you are in school, or working, and then even in our later years. This life-long journey of giving will bring us closer to one another, and be responsible for one another. This is what can help us define what Singapore is, and what being Singaporean is about.

10. On this note, I wish you a fruitful day. I look forward to joining the panel later and hearing more from you.

11. Thank you very much.