Media Releases
Tote Board commemorates 30 Years of giving to the community with special commemorative fund-raising initiative
14 February 2018
Tote Board to set aside $50 million for commemorative fund-raising initiative and will double its fund-raising contributions
$50 million dollars set aside to support fund-raising projects to help the community
Singapore, 10 February 2018 – Tote Board commemorates its 30th anniversary with a carnival today at The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay where more than 15,000 beneficiaries and members of the public participated in the various activities. Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was the Guest-of-Honour for the launch of the carnival.
Called ‘A Good Day Out’, the commemorative carnival is a gathering of beneficiaries and sector partners of Tote Board, including government agencies, social service organisations, non-profit organisations and social enterprises, to share the many grantmaking projects that have made an impact to the community. The carnival also included an exhibition on Tote Board’s journey, a charity marketplace fronted by social enterprises, live performances as well as an exclusive light and sound show at the Supertree Grove by Gardens by the Bay to mark this milestone. Organised by Tote Board, the carnival comprises over 1,300 visiting beneficiaries as well as 45 sector partners and social enterprises/charities (Annex A).
“We are pleased to have the tremendous support of our stakeholders and partners to help shape and curate this carnival, showcasing the ‘Good’ we have contributed to the community for the last 30 years. The carnival is a special dedication to our beneficiaries, who are the focus, passion and commitment of the work we do in Tote Board. We will continue to strive to achieve our Vision of Giving Hope, Improving Lives, and contribute to the building of an inclusive, resilient and vibrant community in Singapore” said Mr Fong Yong Kian, Chief Executive of Tote Board.
Launch of Commemorative Fund-raising Initiative
Tote Board started the fund-raising programme in 2006, with the objective to be a catalyst to encourage ground-up initiatives in the community, to address challenges and better meet the needs of the underserved. The funding provided by Tote Board helps social service organisations and non-profit organisations to achieve their fund-raising targets.
Since the inception of the programme, Tote Board has supported over 3,000 fund-raising projects, with close to $900 million raised for beneficiaries in the sectors of arts and culture, community development, education, health, social service and sports.
To build on its success in getting individuals and organisations to do more for the needy and vulnerable in our society, Tote Board today announced a change in the fund-raising programme which will see the grantmaking organisation set aside $50 million and doubling its fund-raising contributions from $50,000 to $100,000 per project. This is an initiative to commemorative Tote Board’s 30th Anniversary and will be applicable for fund raising projects implemented between 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019[1].
Table: Total funds raised
Total Funds Raised | Current Fund-raising Contributions | Commemorative Fund-raising Initiative | |
|---|---|---|---|
Project A | $70,000 | $14,000 | $28,000 |
Project B | $250,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 |
Project C | $300,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 |
Commenting on the commemorative fund-raising initiative, Dr Ang Hak Seng, Deputy Secretary of MCCY who is coordinating the SGCares movement, said, “The doubling of support for fund-raising projects will help to encourage many more ground-up and community efforts to champion meaningful causes and care for the vulnerable groups in our community. Building a caring and inclusive home starts with each and every one of us. It is the vision of SG Cares to see all of us coming together, to encourage and support one another, extend a helping hand to those in need, and ensure that no one is left behind.”
Mr Fong added, “In our next lap of nation-building, Singapore needs to be prepared for the changing social and economic challenges. Tote Board recognises the complex challenges in our community, and we have been working closely with our stakeholders and partners to ensure help is made available to the vulnerable groups and the underserved. The commemorative fund-raising initiative aims to encourage more ground-up movements, with organisations, groups and individuals taking ownership and action to raise funds to meet needs in our community.”
Individuals and organisations can apply for the commemorative grant from 10 February onwards. For more information on the grant and Tote Board, please visit Tote Board's official website.
[1] Fund-raising projects that do not meet the qualifying period can still apply for fund-raising support from Tote Board, and will receive a contribution of the 20% funds raised, up to a cap of $50,000. Application criteria applies.