Recognising charities with top standards in transparency and governance

Mr Gerard Ee, Chairman of Charity Council

Members of Charity Council,

Partners and Sponsors,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Good evening. I am delighted to join all of you at the Charity Transparency and Governance Awards. 

2. Tonight, we celebrate charities which have upheld the highest standards in transparency and governance. A total of 35 charities will receive the inaugural Charity Transparency Awards. Three of these charities will also receive Charity Governance Awards for exemplary governance practices. All the award recipients tonight deserve a round of applause from all of us. Congratulations to all of you!

Creating a safe giving environment

3. Over the years, Singapore's charity sector has been evolving to meet the diverse needs of Singaporeans. This is a good sign, as a thriving charity sector not only contributes to a nationwide culture of giving, but also bridges communities, and makes our society more inclusive. Let me briefly talk about three areas in which the sector can focus on.

4. The first area is transparency and accountability, and I think Mr Gerard Ee is the best advocate in this sector. Charities must continue to foster a safe giving environment for Singaporeans to contribute towards causes they believe in. More than simply writing a cheque, donors want organisations to have proper internal controls and risk management procedures to protect their interests. They also seek purpose in giving, and want more ownership over the programmes they support. By being open about your fundraising activities and financials, you are helping the public to better understand your causes. This will encourage them to continue giving with greater confidence.

5. I am encouraged to note that Singaporeans have been giving more over the years. In fact, tax-deductible donations rose by more than 24% to $1.4 billion in 2015. Hence, it is even more important for our charities to show present and potential donors and volunteers that they are deserving of the time and resources given to them. By recognising charities with exemplary disclosure practices and high standards of transparency, we are setting the standards expected of the sector.

Building corporate partnerships

6. The second area is corporate partnership. I launched the Company of Good programme in June earlier this year. This is a programme to guide companies in their giving journey. At the launch, I mentioned that corporate giving programmes are vital for businesses seeking to build stronger relationships with customers and their employees. Indeed, the social identity of a business helps to attract new customers and retain employees, especially the millennials, who are looking for meaningful jobs in organisations that make a positive impact on society.

7. So I urge this sector to reach out to more corporate partners, and tap on their professional expertise, networks and resources. Similarly, I hope more corporates will heed the call from our charities to see the value in corporate giving, whether in time or donations. By working together, we can make a greater impact on our businesses and the communities in which we serve.

Making an impact through the SG Cares Movement

8. Another area where charities can make an impact through “Singapore Cares”, or SG Cares, a national movement that we will be launching later this year. Through SG Cares, we want to rally Singaporeans to make a difference and help fellow Singaporeans in need.

9. Charities are key partners in this movement and play an important role in contributing to its success. I urge all VWOs to support SG Cares by identifying areas of under-served needs, fostering partnerships to engage better, and growing opportunities for volunteers to perform meaningful services. Together, we can harness the energy and giving spirit of Singaporeans to deliver more impactful help to those in need.

Refining the Code of Governance

10. Earlier, Gerard mentioned that the Charity Council has embarked on its second refinement of the Code of Governance for Charities and IPCs. With the changing charity landscape, it is timely for the sector to review its governing principles. I'm glad that the Council has stepped up to provide guidance to our charities.

11. The refined Code might require some of you to review your existing instruments of governance and policies. Others may have to pay closer attention to areas such as board renewal, risk management and volunteer management. While the refined Code will be launched next year, the new reporting requirements will only apply for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2018. While you have some time to prepare and make the necessary adjustments, I encourage you to start as soon as you can.

Conclusion

12. Finally, I would like to thank Gerard and the Charity Council for their contributions to the charity sector. I would also like to commend the award recipients, who have put in much effort to implement transparency and good governance practices, regardless of their size and cause. I know that many of you are doing this work pro-bono, volunteering your personal time into doing something that you believe in, and I appreciate what you are doing for Singapore. I hope other charities will be encouraged to raise the level of transparency and governance. Collectively, we can all contribute to Singapore becoming a more caring and giving nation.

13. Thank you.