Giving back to society without fuss, the Singaporean way

You don't have to be a glamorous, gala-attending philanthropist to make a difference to other people's lives.

-  Christine Ong

When people in Singapore hear the word "philanthropy", I suspect the first picture that crosses their mind is a well-dressed person holding up a large mock cheque at a grand ceremony. Accompanying that mental picture is the thought that philanthropy is too lofty, and unattainable for them. This is understandable, given how the media tends to spotlight the big and newsworthy - gifts to charities, and how beneficiaries want to recognise such generosity.

But the reality, certainly in the time that I have been involved at the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), focused on growing philanthropy, is far removed from this. The donors that the team and I have met over the years have been diverse. In many ways, this is a microcosm of Singaporean society.

There are many donors who dress modestly, who resemble a friendly neighbour you might meet at the FairPrice supermarket or hawker centre.

Some of them are shy and avoid publicity, but take an active interest in how their monies support the charities and enable the programmes of their choice.

There even have been easy-going donors who appear unannounced at our office with a cheque, ready to start a fund.

The obvious point is that we should not judge any book by its cover and that donors come in different shapes and stripes.

DEMYSTIFYING PHILANTHROPY

But I would make an additional observation: Philanthropy should be less intimidating than we imagine.

Consider how affluent Singapore has become over the years and how the charities landscape has grown. It is home to more than 2,000 registered charities, covering the traditional social and education sectors while also including more contemporary causes such as the arts and culture, cutting-edge research, sporting excellence and protecting the environment.