The Dark Knight Giveth

Chairman Chew Sutat explains how Community Chest helps those who slip through the cracks.

-  Justin Choo

CHEW SUTAT IS a man on a mission. The new chairman of Community Chest has been managing charitable initiatives since 2011, when he was the organising chairman of the SGX Bull Charge. Having worked with Community Chest as a corporate partner for many years, he took on an active role with the fundraising and engagement arm of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) in 2019 as a committee member, and later, vice chairman, before stepping down as executive vice president at SGX in 2021 to focus on community work. Chew shares with Robb Report his insights on the Community Chest's role in today's philanthropic movement and the social causes that require support.

Why did you continue working with Community Chest after you had stepped away from SGX?

Through my experience with SGX Bull Charge and another charity, Caregivers Alliance, I found it meaningful to make a positive impact on people's lives. When I was given the opportunity in the last decade or so, I felt a greater purpose and meaning to life.

What ignited your passion?

I have done different forms of volunteering work but when your career takes off, you get busy. SGX was a good opportunity for me to revive my interest. When you have an individual experience, when you see the power of transformation, and the impact some of the community and charity work have on individuals' lives, it becomes more than just a number; more than just a donation. It goes far beyond that.

That's why the impact of work done by Community Chest for more than 100 social service agencies (SSAs) and over 200 programmes is powerful. It involves a lot of not-so-well-known causes. These are things that are fundamental to keeping our society stable and inclusive, but they are not necessarily the most demanding and exciting things. That's what Community Chest does the 'day-to-day grind' stuff.