Donations on Giving.sg reach record high

Singapore

COVID-19 has hit Singapore's economy, but not Singaporeans' generosity.

The National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) on Tuesday reported a record high of S$13.6 million in donations between April 1 and 19 on Giving.sg, the one-stop platform to donate, volunteer or raise funds.

The report came on the back of the first wave of Solidarity Payments given to Singaporeans on April 14, and an announcement by NVPC on April 13, waiving its 3 per cent transaction fee from Jan 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

Many took to social media to encourage family and friends to donate their Solidarity Payments, including local celebrities and influencers, tagging @Giving.sg in screenshots of various campaigns, charities and causes where one can #GiveYour600.

Some examples include donor Lee Jiayi, who posted on her Instagram feed that it is a "great idea ...to divide the S$600 across different charities". Veteran diplomat Tommy Koh appealed to Singaporeans who "do not need the S$600 from the government to consider donating it to a charity or NGO".

The surge in traffic to Giving.sg peaked on April 17, hitting a new high of more than 67,000 visitors, far surpassing the daily average of between 3,000 and 5,000 visitors.

Tony Soh, deputy CEO of NVPC, said: "Singapore has a strong track record of responding generously in times of crisis, but this outpouring of other-centredness and kindness has far exceeded our expectations, and truly exemplifies what it means to be a City of Good.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary acts of good. While this surge of donations will go a long way in helping address immediate needs related to Covid-19, we urge everyone to pace themselves for a marathon, not a sprint.

"We must also remember the charities that may not have Covid-19 related campaigns but are meeting critical daily needs of vulnerable communities that require as much or more attention than ever before."

An NVPC spokesperson said: "To truly be a City of Good, we must be able to look beyond self-centredness and instead be other-centred.

"This is even more so during a crisis ... We should ask ourselves what we can do for those who are in greater need than us. If we are fortunate enough to be able to do without the $600 Solidarity Payment, why not give it to those who need it more? It is always better to give than to receive."

Since the onset of Covid-19, stricter safe-distancing measures have curbed traditional fund-raising and volunteering events, driving more people to online giving.

The total donations to date in 2020 has surpassed S$22.5 million, the highest in the past five years since Giving.sg was launched in 2015.

In the month of April, daily donations peaked on April 17 and 18 at over S$1.6 million and S$1.5 million respectively.

Visit Giving.sg to view all causes and charities available, or download the SG Cares app to get the latest updates on community initiatives, and participate in donation and volunteer opportunities.