How do we build a Better Everyday?

What does progress look like to you? For some, it may be measured in achievements, tech advancements or economic growth – but how do we ensure that we collectively move, as a Singapore society, towards a better tomorrow?

As everyday Singaporeans and community organisations come forward with groundups and projects dedicated to improving our society, it is important to ensure that these ideas have the necessary support and backing they need to grow and benefit the vulnerable. 

That’s where Better Everyday by Tote Board comes into play. 

A grantmaking sub-brand by Tote Board, it scaffolds the support needed for movements that are championing kindness and empowering the initiatives aimed at making Singapore a better place. 

Speaking at a media and partners get-together, Tote Board Chairman Mildred Tan shares: “The concept of Better Everyday reflects our belief that be it small or big, our grants and actions must be consistent in creating a impactful, lasting change.”

Second Minister for Finance and National Development, Ms Indranee Rajah, who was the Guest-of-Honour at the event, highlighted Tote Board’s crucial role in supporting social services, the arts and sports and how it complements Government funding to better support social causes and ensures that Singapore’s evolving social needs are met through innovative and community-driven solutions.

“By supporting projects that are innovative and ground-up, we can drive meaningful contributions that improve lives and strengthen the social fabric of Singapore. This also aligns with the Forward Singapore exercise as we call on more individuals, organisations, and communities to take an active role in uplifting those in need.”

At the recent engagement that gathered some hundred partners, changemakers and media friends of Tote Board, Second Minister for Finance and National Development, Indranee Rajah (middle), interacted with some of the beneficiaries of Tote Board funded programmes.

Launched in January 2025, Better Everyday by Tote Board encapsulates the catalytic grantmaking approach. It hopes to enable seniors to age well, empower persons with disabilities to lead meaningful lives and inspire anyone with ideas to contribute to their communities. Through arts and sports, it also brings Singaporeans together to foster a shared sense of identity and purpose. 

Better Everyday is about creating a vibrant and resilient Singapore where no one is left behind and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Together with our partners, we work to enable tangible, life-changing outcomes for the communities we serve, so as to create a Better Everyday for Singapore.

In fact, the imprints of Better Everyday have been woven into the fabric of Singapore through the broad-based grant initiatives by Tote Board through the years, spanning from uplifting vulnerable communities to building a more culturally vibrant Singapore landscape.  

Take for example, the Diverse Abilities Dance Collective (DADC), helmed by artistic director Kavitha Krishnan. Founded in 2018 with the goal to create a co-existing space for persons with disabilities and art-makers, the DADC created programmes like ELEVATE and SPARKS! – supported by Tote Board’s Enabling Lives Initiative – which empower persons with disabilities to develop skills for employment in the arts or express themselves through technology. 

DADC dancers Weng Jiaying (left) and June Lin (right) posing with Tote Board Chairman Mildred Tan. Forging skills they picked from DADC, the two lead extraordinary lives even as they live with disabilities. Jiaying doubles-up as a co-trainer for the DADC team, while June is one of DADC’s founding members and even won a bronze medal for Singapore in the Special Olympics Bowling team.

Likewise, changemakers like Dr Chen Shiling are also creating a Better Everyday for persons from vulnerable backgrounds. Dr Chen founded IDHealth Clinic a decade ago to be a voice for people with intellectual disability. Their Community Integrated Health Team (CIHT) Programme, supported by the Tote Board Community Health Fund, provides a holistic care model for both individuals with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers.  

G Sudharsham Nair (Sandosh), 57, and his mother, Sarasamma Santhakumari (Santha), 81, are a pair that have benefitted from this programme. With Santha facing significant health issues in her old age, the duo receives personalised care through the CIHT programme. Santha says that she “trusts [the IDHealth team] very much”, reflecting the close relationship and her deep appreciation of the care received, and the transformative impact of the programme.

Sandosh (centre) and his mother Santha (right) sharing a moment with Dr Chen Shiling (left). Benefitting from IDHealth Clinic’s holistic care model which seeks to uplift disabled individuals and their caregivers, both mother and son get easier access to their healthcare needs, without going through separate channels.

Not only does Tote Board support the initiatives that are directed towards social causes, our grants invest in Singapore’s rich culture and strengthen our social fabric.

For instance, we have been supporting the annual Chingay Parade, a distinctive showcase of our multi-cultural heritage, racial harmony and unique diversity. We continue to promote sporting activities for social bonding and healthy living among Singaporeans of all ages and abilities, and support high performance sports, through the $550 million Sporting Singapore Fund. This year, as we celebrate the 60^th year of Singapore independence, Tote Board will be a key partner in a special SG60 exhibition at the National Museum that chronicles our country’s transformation and achievements. These arts, sports and heritage programmes represent our commitment to fostering social cohesion. Through such platforms that bring Singaporeans together, we create opportunities for shared memories and strengthen the bonds that make for a Better Singapore Everyday.

Moving forward to create better everyday 

From caring to sharing, Better Everyday by Tote Board is about a spirit of daring to do good better. “It is about making every dollar and every minute we spend count to make our society and communities much stronger and more resilient,” said Mrs Mildred Tan.

“Together, we can transform Singapore into a place where goodness multiplies, where communities thrive, and where each of us has a role in shaping a better future. Let us move forward with purpose, passion, and the belief that we can all be "Better Everyday."