SINGAPORE – People and companies pledged over $100 million to social and community causes, an amount that could be doubled under a government matching grant for donations made in 2025 – the year that Singapore marked 60th years of independence.

The

SG Gives matching grant

that was launched at Budget 2025 matches donations made to programmes through the Community Chest, the President’s Challenge, and the Collective for a Stronger Society during SG60.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said on March 7 that some donors have also made commitments to donate more than $70 million over the next two years.

“These donations and commitments reflect the trust they have in our social sector,” he said.

A Government matching grant means “every dollar given goes further” and will multiply their impact and provide a predictable stream of funding for social service agencies (SSAs), said DPM Gan at an event celebrating the SG60 SGShare campaign at Punggol Coast Mall.

The combined funds will allow SSAs to plan ahead, build capabilities, and serve communities in need more effectively and sustainably, he added.

More than $600 million was set aside during Budget 2025 in various grants by the Government and Tote Board to match donations made to charities and social causes in an effort to encourage philanthropy.

In a statement on March 7, the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) – whose philanthropic arm is the Community Chest – said the amount of SGShare donations during SG60 rose by almost 19 per cent compared to the previous year.