Fortitude Budget: S$118m top-up to support Singapore's charities and social service agencies

THE Singapore government is providing a S$100 million top-up for the Tote Board's Enhanced Fund-Raising Programme to provide more support for Singapore's charities amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Tuesday.

This comes on top of the existing S$70 million budget for the programme, he told Parliament as he delivered the Fortitude Budget - the government's fourth economic rescue package.

Charities can apply to receive dollar-for-dollar matching on eligible donations raised from projects in financial year 2020, up to a cap of S$250,000 per charity, Mr Heng said.

"While continuing to be passionate about supporting the vulnerable in our community, our charities and social service agencies are facing difficulties," Mr Heng said. "The leaders appreciate the support from the Jobs Support Scheme, but they are facing falling donations."

Singaporeans and Singapore residents who are able were urged to donate generously.

In addition, social service agencies will get a top-up of S$18 million to the Invictus Fund.

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The fund was set up by the National Council of Social Service to provide additional support to social service agencies. It is designed to support Singapore's social service agencies to maintain service continuity, retain staff and adopt technology to transform their work, Mr Heng said.

He also urged social service agencies to accelerate their digitalisation efforts, scale up capabilities and share resources and efforts to solve common challenges.

"We will continue to provide our strongest support for you," Mr Heng said.