Contents |
The Community Chest [1] was established in 1983 with a simple yet vital mission: to raise funds for the nation’s many charities. It is about raising funds from the community for the community in need. Charities supported by Community Chest are then able to do what they are best at – providing critical social service programmes to help children with special needs, people with disabilities, frail and lonely elderly and families facing difficulties.
Over the years, Community Chest has built an enduring trust and partnership with many organisations, foundations and individuals and raised millions of much-needed dollars that enabled it to care for its beneficiaries.
At the heart of it all is its Patron-in-Chief, President S.R Nathan. Since 1999, President Nathan has been the Patron-in-Chief of Community Chest, lending his support to many of its fund-raising charities. His involvement and interest in Community Chest has been vital in its fund-raising efforts.
Community Chest raises funds on a yearly basis to meet the needs of the social service programmes that we support. As fund-raising cost is covered mainly by Tote Board and Singapore Pools (Private) Limited, every dollar raised by Community Chest will be made available to social service programmes under its care.
These programmes will help provide critical and essential services to:
• Nurture children to succeed
• Dignify the lives of the elderly
• Keep families together
• Help people with disabilities lead independent lives
Community Chest needs to raise $52.6 million in Financial Year (FY) 2009, the highest fund-raising amount in its 26-year history, so that Singaporeans affected by the economic downturn may receive the necessary help. This year's fund-raising target is $3 million more than in FY 2008. The amount raised will help 157 social service programmes, which are managed by 69 charities, and are estimated to benefit 340,000* people in the year ahead.
Community Chest raises funds through various means. These include:
•SHARE [2] - A monthly donation programme which provides a regular stream of funds for programmes supported by Community Chest. Through its 'Many Helping Hands' approach, more than 200,000 donors contributed to SHARE in FY2008.
•Give A Hand! [3] - The annual GAH! roadshows were held over two weekends in March this year (2010) at Tiong Bahru Plaza and Parkway Parade to rally the support of the community. This is a platform for beneficiaries to showcase their talents and the public to see how their donations have helped improve lives.
•Istana Open House [4] - Every year, the Istana is opened to public during festive and special holidays such as Chinese New Year and National Day. Community Chest, with help from volunteers, raises much-needed funds through the proceeds of admissions to Istana and the sale of merchandise.
*Service-use count plus public education outreach
References